A survey of attitudes to computing at the University of the Witwatersrand

I.D. Sanders and V.C. Galpin

In A. Adam, J. Emms, E. Green, and J. Owens, (eds), IFIP Transactions A-57, Women, Work, and Computerization, Breaking Old Boundaries--Building New Forms, 209-223. Elsevier Science, 1994.
(also published in the Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Women, Work and Computerization, UMIST, Manchester, UK, 2-5 July 1994, 108-122.),

Abstract

This paper discusses an attitudinal survey, among first year science students at a South African university, whose aim was to determine why fewer females than males register for Computer Science. The results show gender differences in exposure to computers, usage, confidence, role models and general attitudes to computers and Computer Science. Important results are that males registered for Computer Science have more informal exposure to computers, less formal exposure and more confidence than females registered for Computer Science. Also, females not registered for Computer Science are most likely to have female family role models and to play computer games.

Keyword Codes

K.3.0; K.3.2; K.4.2

Keywords

Computers and Education, General; Computer and Education, Computer and Information Science Education; Computers and Society; Social Issues

Slides - PDF

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