A survey of 62 business-communication students compared the attitudes of men and women about (1) the value of technology in making users more productive; (2) the impact of computers on people and their work environment; and (3) the relative comfort of men and women when using computers. Results indicated that women were more positive on all three…

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)

Computer use among British 11-12 year-olds (n=364) and 15-16 year-olds (n=575) was compared with an earlier study. Boys still liked computers more and used them more confidently and frequently, especially for games. Older girls had the least positive attitudes. There were more age than gender differences in the use of specific applications.…

A meta-analysis of studies of gender differences in computer attitudes and behavior found that males exhibited greater sex-role stereotyping of computers, higher computer self-efficacy, and more positive attitudes toward computers than females. Most differences in attitudes and behavior were small, with the largest found in high school students.…

In a survey of British secondary students ages 11-12 (n=143) and 15-16 (n=135), males reported more experience with and positive attitudes toward computers than did females; younger students had more experience and positive attitudes than older students. Age differences in experience and gender and age differences in confidence were significant.…

This paper reports a survey conducted at a private midwestern university to investigate 143 undergraduate students' attitudes toward computers. The study used a 10-item questionnaire called General Attitudes toward Computers. Results indicated that students had positive attitudes toward computers. There were no significant differences in attitudes…

A study of 644 Lebanese students (grades 6-12) investigated computer attitudes (including the effect of gender and home ownership of computers) using the Bath County Computer Attitudes Scale. Reports on the reliability and factor analysis of the scale and compares findings with studies conducted in other countries using the same scale. (PEN)

This longitudinal study examines the gender differences in attitudes toward computerization at a liberal arts university. Discusses gender effects research in computer use; diffusion of innovations; innovation adoption; and gender effects on innovation adoption. Results show women are more cautious in their interpretation of technological…

The PATT (Pupils' Attitude Towards Technology) questionnaire, as validated for the United States, was used to assess and analyze attitudes of 500 girls and 510 boys from the Gauteng Province in South Africa. Findings are compared for both genders. Four tables present results. Contains 43 references. (AEF)

This paper explores alternative explanations for the persistence of difference between girls and boys in their attitudes toward technology and science. Reference is made to data from a project designed to introduce students in a science course to multimedia technology in a manner that would be conducive to encouraging girls as well as boys to…

A study of 36 males and 36 females ages 15-52 found that males performed better than females on a computer-based tracking task under different audience conditions. A significant gender and audience interaction was found, with females performing better in the presence of a female than alone or with a male. Implications for educational policy and…

Reviews research and literature on gender and technology. Looks at computer equity themes of the 1980's and early 1990's, and argues that middle school is the place to make a difference. Lists recommendations in the literature for assisting girls with computer technology. Notes considerable evidence of the persistence of a gender gap. (SR)

A study examined how to teach computer skills to future professionals in communications. The context of the study was the communications department in a mid-sized Finnish university. Data was collected on computer use and attitudes to computers and computer-mediated communication by means of surveys and learning journals during the Communications…

Gender differences in attitudes toward computers are examined. Subjects were 136 male and 185 female introductory psychology students. The following were assessed: self confidence; anxiety; beliefs about the impact of computers on society; general positive and negative beliefs; and effects of prior experience. (Author/AEF)

Compared two kindergarten classrooms for variance in computer use. Found no significant difference in computer use by sex or age, but a significant increase in computer use by classroom in the second half of the 12-week project compared to the first half. Found no significant difference in the software selected. (HTH)