ERIC Number: EJ830480
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007
Pages: 16
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-1864
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Perceptions and Experiences that Influence a Pakistani Woman's Decision to Pursue a Teaching Career in Computer-Related Technology
Kazim, Nida; Schmidt, Klaus; Brown, Dan
Journal of Industrial Teacher Education, v44 n2 p73-88 Sum 2007
Fewer women than men are involved in the fields of computer science and in other computer-related technology areas. In the United States, fewer than twenty percent of graduates of those programs are female. Fisher & Margolis (2002) say that despite the rise of a women's movement, women have lost ground in the world of computing. This is not only true for the United States, but also for Pakistan. This study aims to identify reasons why Pakistani women chose to teach in computer-related technology areas and how they thought they were being perceived by university administration, male faculty and their students. The participants were asked to identify social and professional experiences that influenced their decisions to work in these fields. This study employed a qualitative design using a phenomenological approach. An interview guide was created to provide structure to the interview process through use of a set of open-ended questions. The questions sought to encourage participants to share their individual experiences, perceptions, and reflections on their work environment. The themes that emerged were based on the discussion with the interviewees and included the following items: (a) reasons for choosing a computer related area as a career option; (b) career choice in retrospect; (c) perception of women participating in computer-related technology areas; and (d) cultural influences and the environment. The findings of this study revealed that while some women do perceive gender biases, other women may not openly admit to have been discriminated against because they have learned to ignore it. Such attitudes might discourage some women from choosing careers in computer-related technology.
Descriptors: Females, Career Choice, College Administration, Computer Science, Foreign Countries, Work Environment, Cultural Influences, Teacher Attitudes, Phenomenology, Gender Differences, Computer Science Education, College Faculty, Interviews, Teaching Conditions, Administrator Attitudes, Student Attitudes, College Instruction, College Environment, Technology Education, Vocational Education
National Association of Industrial and Technical Teacher Educators. Web site: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JITE/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Pakistan; United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A