A Comparison of Male and Female Pupil Perceptions of Technology in the Curriculum

Abstract

The paper reports on gender differences in the perceptions of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and A level pupils towards technology‐based courses. The study is based on a sample of 90 male and 94 female pupils. The study finds that technology is perceived as being similar to science subjects rather than to craft subjects and male and female perceptions of technology are, to all intents and purposes, the same. However, most females wish to gain good grades from technology courses and seem to have higher standards of expectation than males in this respect. The subject is seen as a useful qualification for higher education and employment by both males and females. It is suggested that technology in the new National Curriculum is likely to attract males and females equally but that we should not revert to emphasising the materials and product aspect of technology at the expense of the process.