Edited by Dr. David J. Ayersman, Mary Washington College, and Dr. W. Michael Reed, New York University
formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

JRTE, Volume 33, Number 2, Winter 2000

Gender Differences in Student Attitudes toward Computers

Betty J. Young
University of Rhode Island

Abstract

This study reports the development of a student computer attitude survey. The instrument highlighted gender differences in computer attitudes of 462 middle and high school students. The principal components analysis confirmed five expected factors: confidence, perception of computers as male domain, positive teacher attitudes, negative teacher attitudes, and perceived usefulness of computers. The main gender differences related to greater confidence among males and the perception of computers as a male domain supported by males and rejected by females. Male students reported high levels of negative interactions with teachers, though this did not affect their confidence or skill level.

Web Resource
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DeBare, I. (1996). High tech industry zipping along but women are often left behind. Sacramento Bee [Online serial]. Available: www.sacbee.com/news/projects/women/wcmain.html.

Contributor

Betty J. Young, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of Education at the University of Rhode Island.

Address: Betty Young, University of Rhode Island, School of Education, Chafee 616, Kingston, RI 02881; byoung@uri.edu.

Copyright © 2001, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.