Describes the design and evaluation of a desktop virtual reality program that was developed to teach children about the accessibility and attitudinal barriers encountered by their peers with mobility impairments. Investigated attitudes, grade levels, familiarity with individuals with a disability, and gender. (Author/LRW)

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)

Describes two studies that investigated the impact of three features of educational software (aggressive distracters, competition, and underrepresentation of female characters) on girls' attitudes toward software. Results of studies with sixth- and and seventh-grade female mathematics students are discussed based on the Computer Game Attitude…

Describes a study that investigated whether second grade students internalized content and concepts embedded in a science computer simulation as opposed to treating it as a game to be played. Discusses cognitive outcomes and processes, thinking skills, use of scientific language, transfer to other contexts, and partner and gender considerations.…

Analyzes, as a function of grade level, the representation of gender, competition, and violence in 17 top-selling software programs designed for mathematics education. Results indicate that mean percentages of violence, competition against the program and competition against a peer increase across grade level; mean percentages of female characters…

Offers suggestions to keep girls interested and involved in digital technology. Highlights include role models; encouraging math and science courses; a computer club for girls; integrating computer activities into the curriculum; Web-based lessons; mentoring; appropriate software; designing with computer graphics; collaborative groups; and…

This review of research on gender differences in computer use at the elementary and secondary levels outlines the problems, discusses reasons for these problems, and gives suggestions for interventions to improve the situation. The research reviewed was conducted, for the most part, in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom.…