Gender Analysis of a Large Scale Survey of Middle Grades Students' Conceptions of Computer Science Education

Abstract

This paper summarizes findings from a Student Motivation Survey (SMS) developed to monitor students' dispositions toward CS education. This survey was administered as part of the iDREAMS project, which involved creating in-school computer programming opportunities for middle school students. The analysis reported here is based on survey responses collected over 3.5 years from 2,473 girls and 3,247 boys. Results include students' use of technology, computer courses completed, and dispositions towards CS education. Our findings reveal several significant differences between boys and girls regarding their use of technology and dispositions toward CS education.