Summary
Guideline for elementary school teachers on gender-balanced lessons concerning the topic of careers
Implementing organization
JKU Linz - Department for Human Resource Development, Gender and Diversity Management /Contact
Dr. Margit Waid: margit.waid@jku.at;
Sandra Nuspl: sandra.nuspl@jku.at
Implemented/introduced
Created in 2016, in constant use since then
Relation to gender equality targets
Development Plan 2013-2018: Long term thinking is required if women are to be inspired to consider careers in science and technology. By actively engaging the professional profiles of male and female academics across the entire course of education, gender-specific awareness in particular is to be expanded further. In order to draw attention to science from an early age, measures related to the transfer of knowledge focused on children of various ages, have been designed and implemented in cooperation with external organizations more extensively since 2009.
The objective(s) of the tool
The guideline is intended to be used in class so that under the aspect of gender-sensitive teaching, girls and boys are able to develop a wide range of career interests and skills.
Description of the tool
Technical studies are chosen by girls only in small numbers; the same holds true for boys and socially oriented studies. In order to encourage interest in future professions from an early age, it is therefore important, that the full range of career options is presented to children as early as possible, irrespective of gender.
In collaboration with the Women’s office Linz the project “Berufsbilder – Berufswahl rechtzeitig!” (“Jobs-Career Awareness – sooner than later!”) addressed these issues and devised a guideline, covering a broad spectrum of occupations and including suggestions for numerous experiments. Besides encouraging research-style-independent learning with an exploratory focus, these experiments also develop skills and train emotional competencies which are becoming increasingly important in the world of work
For easy use each chapter of the guideline offers a brief introductory summary. References are provided for additional literature, materials, and links to allow further independent exploration of each theme. The guideline also includes photocopy masters for in-classrom use.
How the tool works, practical experience
The guideline was sent to all elementary schools in Upper Austria and is very well received. The guideline can be ordered from gd@jku.at
Cooperation
Johannes Kepler University in cooperation with the Women’s Office Linz
Attachments
Guideline: “Berufsbilder – Berufswahl rechtzeitig!” – a guideline on the topic. Published by Johannes Kepler University Linz - Department for Gender & Diversity Management; Women’s Office Linz; edited by Dr. Margit Waid, Sandra Nuspl, Susanne Kaufmann, Daniela Schagerl, Birgitt Kepplinger
For further details and to download the Guideline click here (in German only)