Gender and computing: A decade of change?

Gender Equity and Information Technology in Education: The Second Decade

“…A long-term study in the United States (Rocheleau, 1995) showed that the initial significant difference in computer use by girls and boys in the highest classes of primary education gradually diminished until it was no longer significant in 1992. Neither Doornekamp (1993) nor Durndell and Thomson (1997) found gender differences in the use of computers at school.…”

“…Two years later the Scottish researchers found no gender differences in any type of home computer use by the end of secondary education. However, boys did use computers more often than girls in one another's homes (computer use as a social activity) and more often owned a computer (Durndell & Thomson, 1997).…”

“…It is therefore particularly important for girls to work with computers at school. Durndell and Thomson (1997) observed that the differences between girls and boys in their knowledge of information technology gradually decreased at the end of secondary education. Doornekamp (1993) found no gender differences in achievements in computer assignments in the first phase of secondary education; in contrast, Volman (1997) found differences comparable to those in the IEA research.…”

Does computer anxiety reach levels which conform to DSM IV criteria for specific phobia?

“…In over three decades since this initial study there has been an exponential expansion of technology in leisure, work and educational environments. However, studies spanning these decades report consistent proportions of computer anxious individuals (Durndell and Thomson, 1997). The prevalence rates are also consistent across the USA and Europe the Middle East (Omar, 1992) and the far East (Brosnan & Lee, 1998).…”

Factors Influencing Girls' Choice of Information Technology Careers

“…They use computers more than girls as a social activity (Durndell & Thomson, 1997). Boys demand more power and functionality from home computers (Habib & Cronford, 2002).…”