In addition to her participation with the National Academy of Sciences workshops and the Department of Education’s “National Educational Technology Plan”, Kafai has directed the research for the report “Under the Microscope: A Decade of Gender Equity Interventions in the Sciences” (2004) as well as participated in the National Commission on Gender, Technology and Teaching that produced “Tech-Savvy Girls: Educating Girls in the Computer Age” (American Association of University Women, 2000). She briefed the Telecommunication and Computer Science Board for the report Being Fluent with Information Technology (National Academy of Sciences, 1999) and has helped define national research agendas for research about children’s media with the Center for Media Education (1998) and a related effort from the Markle Foundation (1998).
National Educational Technology Plan • US Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education is developing a new National Educational Technology Plan to provide a set of concrete goals that can inform state and local educational technology plans to inspire the research, development, and innovation which will transform American education. A draft plan is expected in early 2010. For more info, see here.
https://edtechfuture.org/?page_id=525
Computational Thinking for Everyone • National Academy of Sciences
This effort explores the nature of computational thinking (CT) and its cognitive and educational implications. In two workshops, computer scientists and educators will articulate what “CT for everyone” might mean and how CT might be incorporated in K-12 education. Report will be available Summer 2010. For more info, see here.
http://www8.nationalacademies.org/cp/projectview.aspx?key=48969
Under the Microscope • A Decade of Gender Equity Projects in the Sciences
Examines and analyzes more than 400 gender equity projects specifically aimed at increasing the participation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The report reveals trends in the development and support of these projects during the last decade and offers recommendations for strengthening the advancement of gender equity in the sciences for the future. Available here.
http://www.aauw.org/research/microscope.cfm
Tech-Savvy • Educating Girls in the New Computer Age
As violent electronic games and dull programming classes turn off more and more girls to the computer culture, schools need to change the way information technology is used, applied, and taught in the nation’s classrooms. An executive summary with recommendations for change is listed on web site. Free copies of this report and a new video and guide are available through AAUW. Available here.
http://www.aauw.org/research/tech_savvy.cfm
Being Fluent with Information Technology
Being computer literate—technically competent in two or three current software applications— is not enough anymore. Individuals who want to realize the potential value of information technology (IT) in their everyday lives need to be computer fluent, that is able to use IT effectively today and to adapt to changes tomorrow. This report sets the standard for what everyone should know about IT in order to use it effectively now and in the future. Available here.
