Computer Clubs 4 Girls: CC4G (e-skills UK)

Cimex partnered with e-skills UK to dispel the notion of ICT as ‘geeky’ and ‘nerdy’, by showing that ICT can play a major part in a teenager’s interests.

Brief

Computer Clubs 4 Girls (CC4G) is a new SEEDA funded initiative designed to attract 10 to 14 year-old girls to the world of ICT. Research shows that girls become ‘switched off’ to technology and careers in computing at this age, but they could be missing out on an amazing future!

The challenge was to develop a website and a set of complementary offline projects covering more than 60 hours of rich, engaging learning to encourage girls to develop their skills in the male-dominated world of ICT.

Solution

Employing a user-centred design approach involving target learners at every stage of the process, Cimex produced an attractive and engaging website with contemporary themes.

Key features:

• The website is divided into 12 topic areas covering themes such as Celebrity, Fashion and Dance
• Each topic has up to nine rich media activities allowing girls to experience ICT concepts such as databases, html and design before going ‘offline’ to work on their own collaborative, real life projects
• Differentiated learning within activities ensures that the most computer-phobic user is quickly able to produce real output while highly able girls are challenged to extend their skills – thus boosting all learners’ confidence and motivation levels

Result

‘CC4G has made a profound difference in school to attitudes and aptitude of girls in the ICT area. We are a school which aims for innovation and creativity across all subjects, with our specialisation in performing arts and technology.

‘What CC4G has helped do is to reinforce the critical link between ICT, the arts, creativity and the full range of subjects. That’s the point: IT is an essential part of any career nowadays,’ commented Head Teacher: Trinity School, Newbury.

‘I have heard a great deal about CC4G and know that the concept is good. Now having seen it I realise it is even better.’ Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP, former Secretary for Education and Skills, 2004

Visit the CC4G website

Published: 22 Mar 2007

Tags: Customer insight, Design & enhancement, E learning