Gender Differences in Student Attitudes toward Computers

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.

Keywords:

• computer attitude survey
• gender