Terms Defined :: essays papers

Terms Defined Before plummeting into the depth of this paper, several phrases and terms need to be clarified. When discussing computers they should be thought of as â€Å"devices that solve problems by accepting information, performing prescribed operations, and supplying the results obtained.† Computer usage refers to utilizing the piece of technology to solve problems. Another important fact to remember is that computer games are played on the machine for either instruction or entertainment. For the sake of clarity, computer programs and computer games are used interchangeably and deemed as synonymous phrases within this paper. The computer revolution refers to the incorporation of computers into everyday use. Having clear definitions of these phrases will help the reader better comprehend the assertions being presented (â€Å"Ebsco,† 2004). Gender Bias in Computer Games and Programs One of the first factors thought to contribute to this growing problem presented above is the fact that computer games and programs are rarely generated with females in mind. The way in which games and programs are designed can be a huge deciding factor in whether the girl will take the time to explore a particular program or not. According to a study sponsored by the much acclaimed American Association of University Women, â€Å"The commission noted that most computer games today are designed by men for men. They often have subject matter of interest to boys, or feature styles of interaction known to be comfortable for boys† (â€Å"Tech Savvy,† 2000, p.29). In her book entitled Does Jane Compute, Roberta Furger (1998) interviewed a ten year old, self-proclaimed conossuier of computers named Rachel. This precocious ten year old has her own web page and likes to make cards and invitations on her very own Macintosh. Sadly, Rachel has experienced first hand the discr epancy experts have been warning about. She too explains how there are very few games for girls when she stated, â€Å"There are only men in a lot of games-and there are not bright colors. It’s all droopy† (1998, p.44). Children Now, an organization working for the betterment of children everywhere, recently stated that many computer games popular among boys have been marketed to girls by simply changing one aspect of the game’s general design or aesthetics. Take for example, Pac-Man. The creators of this game simply put a pink bow on the original creature to try to lure in the female population (â€Å"Girls and Gaming,† 2000).