Erin and her Objectives

Hello,

Me an technology do not get along, much like my mother and technology. She refers all questions to Dad, without trying to figure it out herself. I am a self proclaimed Luddite- I walk into a room and computer with shut off. But in this technological age, where we are immersed whether it be by choice or not, there is no denying our dependence on the stuff! I tend to navigate all the technology that is imposed upon me on a day to day basis: filling out forms online, shopping online, keeping up with friends, uploading pictures, watching videos, blogging and reading blogs too.

But what strikes me is my passive consumption of these online service. I am browsing, absorbing, spending and supporting. With the exception of my blog, which I do not make money from, I rely on these online features, while producing nothing. I contribute nothing except nameless hits on peoples' blog stats, furthering the ever pervasive market research.

My history with technology was that I was born and educated before we became so dependant on the forms so prevalent today. I was raised before microwaves and laptops, I went to school before Internet and cellphones, I learned to type on a computer larger than our TV, I played video games back before Macintosh computers had been re-branded Apple.

Interrogating girls relationships with technology interests me greatly, because I do believe I see a gendered difference in our interactions with technology both in our proficiency utilizing it and in our under representation in fields such as web design and computer programing.

Is this a learned behaviour? Would my awkwardness around technology different if I had have been a boy? Why do I ask for help instead of sort out problems myself? Why isn't a girl geek a feature in films and tv shows?

I really want to do this project! I want to teach other how to make online journals, giving them then skills to produce a blog and the confidence to learn new things. I want to learn how to use video equipment, which I have always want to learn, but haven't out of fear and shame! I want to work together with other girls, finding out their experiences when it come to technology! I want to apply the readings in our course to better understand our behaviours and the construction of girls when it come to technology. I want to meet girls who work in the competitive computer based industry, and I want to find out their stories.

I want to make a blog that tells of the trials and tribulations of this group project about three girls and their troubled with technology.