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Challenging gender stereotypes using virtual pedagogical characters

Gulz, Agneta LU ; Tärning, Betty LU and Haake, Magnus LU (2007) Symposium on Gender, Learning and IT, organized by GLIT - Research Network, 2007
Abstract
The paper explores motivational and cognitive effects of more neutral or androgynous-looking characters versus more feminine-looking female and masculine-looking male characters. A user study involving 158 students, aged 17-19, encountering four virtual characters, visually manipulated to represent gender stereotypicality versus androgyny, is presented. On the one hand we explored students’ attitudes towards the different characters as seen in how they rank them as preferred presenters and articulate their arguments about the characters. On the other hand we looked for patterns as to which character(s) influence female and male students most positively with respect to their attitude towards a university level computer engineering program.... (More)
The paper explores motivational and cognitive effects of more neutral or androgynous-looking characters versus more feminine-looking female and masculine-looking male characters. A user study involving 158 students, aged 17-19, encountering four virtual characters, visually manipulated to represent gender stereotypicality versus androgyny, is presented. On the one hand we explored students’ attitudes towards the different characters as seen in how they rank them as preferred presenters and articulate their arguments about the characters. On the other hand we looked for patterns as to which character(s) influence female and male students most positively with respect to their attitude towards a university level computer engineering program. Results from the study are presented and discussed. We conclude with pointing towards future research within the area. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
masculinity, androgynities, educational choice, computer engineering, virtual characters, gender, femininity, visual design, SoTL
host publication
[Host publication title missing]
pages
30 pages
publisher
GLIT - Research Network
conference name
Symposium on Gender, Learning and IT, organized by GLIT - Research Network, 2007
conference location
Helsingborg, Sweden
conference dates
2007-08-23 - 2007-08-25
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
dad003bb-1b4e-494b-a673-a1568cd7d007 (old id 637789)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 09:55:08
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:55:39
@inproceedings{dad003bb-1b4e-494b-a673-a1568cd7d007,
  abstract     = {{The paper explores motivational and cognitive effects of more neutral or androgynous-looking characters versus more feminine-looking female and masculine-looking male characters. A user study involving 158 students, aged 17-19, encountering four virtual characters, visually manipulated to represent gender stereotypicality versus androgyny, is presented. On the one hand we explored students’ attitudes towards the different characters as seen in how they rank them as preferred presenters and articulate their arguments about the characters. On the other hand we looked for patterns as to which character(s) influence female and male students most positively with respect to their attitude towards a university level computer engineering program. Results from the study are presented and discussed. We conclude with pointing towards future research within the area.}},
  author       = {{Gulz, Agneta and Tärning, Betty and Haake, Magnus}},
  booktitle    = {{[Host publication title missing]}},
  keywords     = {{masculinity; androgynities; educational choice; computer engineering; virtual characters; gender; femininity; visual design; SoTL}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{GLIT - Research Network}},
  title        = {{Challenging gender stereotypes using virtual pedagogical characters}},
  year         = {{2007}},
}