Date

2004

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Department

Teacher Education

Abstract

Low participation of women in higher levels of technology training is a continued phenomenon that impacts their economic positions in the current technologically oriented economy. The study illuminated the participation level, perspectives and experiences of female undergraduates in the Telecommunications, Multimedia and Applied Computing (TMAC) program at the California State University Monterey Bay. Using a phenomenological approach, findings revealed low participation and a continued decline in women's enrollment and graduation levels in the TMAC program. Although the participants' responses showed that women were aware of the advantages of technology careers in the current economy, many still opted for the design aspects of computing avoiding the technology track. Stereotyping of gender abilities was identified as a phenomenon that influenced women's decisions in their abilities to go into the different tracks of the program. This undermined women's beliefs in their capabilities in the techology track of the program. Recommendations require that the institution builds on female students' self-efficacy by connecting them to the real world of work through strengthened internship programs; develop intermediate level courses to act as a bridge to higher-level technology courses; establish a deliberate move to sponsor females who show talent in technology by soliciting for funding for their studies in the technology track of the program and develop an action project that would ensure that policies and activities are put in place to achieve gender equity in the program.

Comments

Thesis (M.A.) Institute for Advanced Studies in Education

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