This paper explores certain possible reasons behind the uneasy relationship between women and technology. The cultural identification of technology with masculinity has been well documented through previous research. However, we feel it is useful to revisit this complex relationship through the scope of a more subtle distinction between…

In the "Digital Divide" research, adult women have generally been found to be the weakest group when compared with others. There is thus a need to provide this particular group with computer literacy training, and to give them opportunities to learn about using computers. In such training, women not only need to learn computer skills,…

This study investigates the attitudes of a group of low-status women towards computers through a deliberately designed computer training programme. Four aspects of the women's attitudes were examined, including computer anxiety, confidence, liking and usefulness. Data sources consist of pre- and post-surveys and interviews with the participants.…

This paper reports on a qualitative study that examined how pair programming shapes the experience of secondary school girls taking IT as a subject, with respect to their enjoyment of programming and the subject itself. The study involved six Grade 11 girls who were doing solo programming in Grade 10 and pair programming in their following Grade.…

Working with the premise that information and communications technology (ICT) has the capacity to make or unmake so far as women's empowerment is concerned, this article looks at the ICT situation among female distance learners in both endowed and under-served parts of Ghana, to check the user differentials among the two contrasting groups through…

This paper reports on an exploratory investigation of the perceptions of information and communication technology (ICT) as a field of study and work in German secondary schools. A total of 160 students from five secondary schools in Lower Saxony participated in the study in February 2007, and four teachers of the students were interviewed. The…

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 study considers whether technophobia is a transitory phenomenon by assessing computer attitudes and cognition of 11- and 12-year-old children in an English secondary school via self-reporting questionnaires. Results showed a low prevalence of technophobia and that gender did not significantly influence attitudes or cognition towards…

This study examined levels of techophobia, described as negative psychological reactions toward technology, in a sample of South African university students. Describes use of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory and reports results that show techophobia was inversely correlated with computer experience, weakly correlated with age, but not associated with…

The focus of this article is on Australian teachers' and pre-service teachers' gendered beliefs about their students and about computer use for mathematics learning. To illustrate what is happening in these areas, I will draw on results from two studies in which I have been engaged in recent years. I will also present the findings from other…

As computers proliferate on college campuses across the world, it becomes very important to examine college students' attitudes toward computers from a cross-cultural perspective. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among gender, computer experiences, and attitudes toward computers in Korea. Three hundred three (303) Korean…

This study explores how female students compare learning computer technology in a single- versus a mixed- gender school setting. Twelve females participated, all of whom were enrolled in a grade 12 course in Communications' Technology. Data collection included a questionnaire, a semi-structured interview and focus groups. Participants described…

Reports the results of a study of 65 United Kingdom primary school children that examined the effect of software type by comparing children's performance on a male stereotyped version of the software with a female stereotyped version. Topics include computer attitudes, computer experience, and software preferences. (Author/LRW)

Three studies were conducted in New Zealand with preschool children and high school students which examined computer attitudes and the effect of particular gender views on exploratory behavior. Results suggest that high school affirmative action programs are working, more female role models are needed, and efforts need to include young children.…

A study on gender and computer use surveyed 773 ninth-grade students from Tokyo (Japan) and from Stockholm (Sweden). Regardless of country, males reported higher scores of aptitude with and enjoyment of computers than females did. Overall, boys also showed more positive attitudes toward mathematics and sciences; girls consistently reported…