Presents a summary of nine research reports from a National Educational Computing Conference research workshop whose purpose was to bring together researchers who have been conducting gender-related research in computer science education. Three subgroups discussed the issues of exposure, attraction, and retention of women to computer science. (MDH)

Asks why computers are more attractive to boys than to girls and offers a cultural framework for explaining the apparent sex differences. Speculates that computing is neither inherently difficult nor uninteresting to girls, but rather that computer games and other software might have to be designed differently for girls. (Author/ABB)

Recent technological developments in interfaces, programing philosophy, and artificial intelligence may invite the participation of women programers, who find a concrete, intuitive, and informal style of programing more congenial than the hierarchical, rule-driven style heretofore pervasive in computer culture. (DM)

Provides a synthesis of the research findings on gender differences in the field of computers. Examines several popular theories of why the differences exist and what to do about them. (AEF)

Discusses the University of Wisconsin's Women and Science program which is a four-year program aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of women and minorities in mathematics, science, and engineering. Discusses extra challenges in computing, encourages faculty to share concerns with students, and offers some solutions that can be applied in…

Finds that computer and mathematics avoidance among women is the result of attitudes, expectations, and discrimination. Present-day creative computing relies upon skills not limited to those with a math and science orientation, and should prove a rewarding occupation to women. (DM)

A questionnaire completed by 928 postsecondary students asked subjects to rate one of two computer scientists on 16 personal attributes. Aside from gender of the ratee, questionnaires were identical. Results indicate that on eight attributes the female was rated significantly more positively than the male. Implications are discussed. (Author/CH)

Explored the relationship among cognitive style, performance, gender, and communication among computer students. Found a significant relationship between performance and cognitive style; students whose cognitive style scores indicated a preference for analytical thinking had better performance scores when entering college than those with a…

Describes biographical/life story methods used to explore the underrepresentation of women in computing courses in the United Kingdom. Explains how interviews were structured and conducted and illustrates the method of transcription used. (SK)

Presents preliminary findings from the "Second National Survey of Instructional Uses of School Computers." Areas explored include how many teachers regularly use computers with students, what subjects computer-using teachers teach, who gets to use school computers (boys or girls), and other areas. (JN)

Microcomputers are viewed as bridges between the traditional world defined for women and the male-dominated world of technology. The view expressed is that female use of computers helps to lessen fear of technology and microcomputers can be a beginning supportive step. (MP)

An Attitudes-Toward-Computer Usage Scale (ATCUS) was developed in two studies: (1) 40 items were administered to 365 undergraduate students to assess attitudes toward the use of computers; (2) based on factor analysis results, the scale was reduced to 20 items and administered to 351 undergraduates. Results show the ATCUS to be a reliable…

A survey of 305 undergraduates tested a causal model for choice of computer science as a major. The model found causal differences for males and females. Attitudes toward mathematics played a more complex and stronger role for men, and experience played a stronger, more positive role for women. (Author/MSE)

Surveyed the entire middle school population of a rural-suburban school district to determine the general attitudes of students toward computers. Findings are reported for differences in general attitudes toward computers between boys and girls, seventh and eighth-graders, and those who had computers and those who did not. (JN)

Examined effects of beginning computer programing instruction, sex, and home computers on the attitudes of fifth-grade students (N=49). Results of this pilot study showed higher attitudes following instruction and no differences between the sexes or between those who had computers and those who did not. (JN)