Examining Perceptions of Information Technology Courses at Midwestern High School and the Effects on Female Enrollment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions female students at Midwestern High School have of information technology courses by identifying the factors that influence their enrollment in information technology courses. There is little research on what perceptions may exist among female secondary students that discourage them from enrolling in information technology courses at Midwestern High School. From the introductory courses to the advanced courses, female enrollment in information technology courses at Midwestern High School are minimal. Understanding the perceptions female students have of information technology and identifying factors they consider before enrolling in a course will identify areas of emphasis and improvement in recruitment into the information technology program. An online survey was administered to 16 high school female students at Midwestern High School. The results from this study indicate that participants understand careers associated with information technology and decide which courses to enroll in based on their career interest. Recommendations were made to create a hands-on information technology course at the middle and elementary school level to increase exposure to students at a younger and more impressionable age about the information technology industry.