Gendered differences in the participation of Australian tertiary computer science : Implications for schools

Conference paper


Chao, Shu-Hua and Henderson, Michael. (2012). Gendered differences in the participation of Australian tertiary computer science : Implications for schools. Australian Computers in Education Conference 2012. Wesley College, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia 02 - 05 Oct 2012 Australian Council for Computers in Education. pp. 101-107
AuthorsChao, Shu-Hua and Henderson, Michael
TypeConference paper
Abstract

The representation of males continues to dominate that of females in Information Technology (IT) related studies at both the secondary and tertiary levels. This mixed method study utilises Eccles et al. (1983) Expectancy Value Model for exploring the social, psychological and motivational factors that influence individuals’ participation in Computer Science (CS) or non Computer Science (NCS) undergraduate courses (or majors) in Taiwan and Australia. This paper reports on the Australian data set, from a selected university in Melbourne, of surveys (n=106) and subsequent interviews (n=7). It was found that the most important reason for choosing to study CS for 55% of females was “career prospects” as opposed to “personal interest” for CS males and the majority of the NCS sample. However the reasons indicated by interviewees were in contrast to the survey finding. A conclusion is that the strength of subjective task values (STVs) which individuals attach to IT related subjects and or activities at the secondary level could very likely affect their subsequent participation or non-participation in an IT related field such as CS at the undergraduate level.

Year2012
PublisherAustralian Council for Computers in Education
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Book titleAustralian Computers in Education Conference : 2 - 5 October 2012
Page range101-107
ISBN9780646586540
Web address (URL) of conference proceedingshttp://acec2012.acce.edu.au
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online2012
Publication process dates
Deposited09 Oct 2023
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