Gender Differences in Computer Attitudes, Literacy, Locus of Control and Commitment

This study explored differences in computer attitudes, computer literacy, computer locus of control and commitment to computers between males and females. Three hundred and eighty-three education students at the University of Toronto completed a survey about computer attitudes (affective and cognitive), computer literacy (experience, basic skills, awareness, application software, programming), locus of control (specific to the use of computers), and commitment to computers (actual use, interest, promotion). Males and females did not differ in either their affective or cognitive attitudes toward computers. Males had significantly higher scores on all subscales of computer literacy and commitment to computers. Males also showed more internal locus of control with respect to computers. It is recommended that increased effort be made to impart computer literacy skills to female student teachers.