Beyond stereotypes
The IT industry still struggles to achieve full diversity across its workforce. This activity gives learners the opportunity to explore some of the possible influences at work here.
The approach starts from the learners' own experiences of how the world perceives IT workers and then asks them to compare this with reality. Finally, they have an opportunity to suggest ways of changing the situation.
The activity requires careful facilitation by the teacher and works best if learners have developed trust and mutual respect.
Learning objectives
Learners should be able to:
- identify a range of issues relating to stereotyping
- consider why the IT workforce does not represent the diversity within the UK
- identify possible solutions.
Downloads
Beyond stereotypes – activity (PDF, 117.5KB)
Working in IT – complete resource (PDF, 368KB)
Related resources
Learners will need to listen to the audio clips in the Meet the professionals activity, as part of this activity.
The Agreeing ground rules activity in the Co-operative learning area is a useful starting point for this activity.
See the Equality and diversity: Quick start guide for further guidance about this topic.