Review of the research literature indicates that sex differences favor males in overall computer use, course enrollments, programing and games but few sex differences in computer applications. Explanations focus on sex-based differences in expected outcomes arising from cultural beliefs. Eight strategies for increasing female participation are…

Investigated sex differences in computer attitude and aptitude and the relationship of these variables, math aptitude, math anxiety, and scholastic achievement to computer involvement among college freshmen (N=941). Sex differences were found in attitudes, computer aptitude, and math prerequisites. Computer aptitude related to math ability and…

This study explored the levels of anxiety over computer use of high school students based on sex, grade level, and prior computer experience. Subjects were 67 high school students, 38 males and 29 females. The instrument used was a computer anxiety subscale of 10 items from an instrument designed by Loyd and Gressard (1984). The items presented…

Investigates students' experience of computers and their feelings about computers at the start of a one-year secondary postgraduate teacher training course. Reports on students' perceptions of their knowledge of computers and confidence when starting to learn how to use computers along with their ratings of the importance of teachers knowing about…

Introduces special series of articles on females and computers. Discusses women's involvement in early computer history and possible reasons for and consequences of sex differences in computer applications including the computer as object of study, recreational device, or general purpose tool. (SA)

A survey of undergraduates found that common computer applications were used by 84 to 90 percent, and 89 percent believed their computer skills are adequate for professors' needs. About 25 percent considered themselves advanced computer users, and most had learned common applications informally. Differences existed between males and females in the…

This report provides statistical information on computer use in the United States in 1984, including home, work, and school use, and use according to socioeconomic status, race, and sex. The data show that over 15 million American adults owned home computers, but only 53% actually use them. About 8% of U.S. households, or 6.98 million, had a…

A study of 198 students and 43 educators examined computer attitudes and knowledge in rural settings. Educators and students had positive attitudes toward computers. Educators demonstrated significantly higher knowledge levels than students. Over half of the students and about one-third of the educators indicated having a computer at home. (JHZ)

Two Australian studies of male and female achievement, attitudes toward computers, and computer use are reported and discussed. One study investigated differences between male and female parents, teachers, and students in 32 schools with extensive computer experience; the other is a survey of 1,000 schools throughout the country. (MSE)

Describes causes of the gender gap in the use of computers in school programs. Provides seven suggestions for policy enactment by school boards to address the problems of sex equity in school computer use. (MD)

Designed to provide classroom teachers with activities to enhance computer equity for female students, this kit is divided into four sections which present excerpts from four other publications: (1) "The Neuter Computer: Computers for Boys and Girls" (Jo Schuchat Sanders and Antonia Stone for the Computer Equity Training Project, Women's…

Explores some of the issues raised by the introduction of computers into society and, in particular, questions concerning the impact, both direct and indirect, of the availability of computers on the young. (CMG)

Describes a study that explored the attitudes of students (N=501) and teachers (N=53) toward computers. Argues that the views of teachers and students concerning the integration of computers in science teaching should be taken into consideration in course design and implementation. Contains 37 references. (DDR)

This study examined computer anxiety, computer confidence, and computer liking among high school and college students, and explored effects of computer experience, age, and sex on their attitudes. Computer experience was significantly related to positive attitudes; no clear age trend was demonstrated; and sex was not significantly related to…

Describes a study devised to determine what changes occur in young adults' attitudes toward computers as a result of a computer training program and whether attitudes of boys and girls differ significantly before or after a computer training program. Data indicate girls on average have decidedly less positive attitudes than boys. (MBR)