Gender Equity and eGaming

Implications for School Librarians

Abstract

Increasingly, schools and libraries are incorporating egaming because of its attraction to youth and its potential benefit for instruction, developing information literacy skills, and facilitating academic success. Although egames are played by most youth, egaming has gender-linked properties: extent of play, choice of games, social interaction in gaming, and novice gaming practice. School libraries are uniquely positioned to provide resources and services to insure gender-equitable gaming experiences: gaming periodicals, opportunities to select and review games, and single sex activities. Emerging trends of casual gaming, mobile egaming, and gaming design offer opportunities that can attract girls, which teacher librarians can leverage.