Thai and American Girls' Perceived and Actual Competency in Technology and Making

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Research on Women and Girls of Color

Abstract

This study explores girls’ perceived and actual competency in technology and making from two countries with different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds. The study follows girls from a public school in Bangkok, Thailand and a private school in North-Eastern US. Most of the girls expressed little to no confidence in working with technology or making. When asked, “are you good with technology?” they didn’t think so. Their expressed self-perceptions are consistent with previous literature in regards to gender and STEM. However, when the girls were asked to identify tools that required knowledge of technology and making, they were able to demonstrate deep understanding and showed prior experience that supported their competency in technology and making.

Author

• Sawaros Thanapornsangsuth, Teachers College, Columbia University