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ERIC Number: ED649645
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 177
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3529-6196-4
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Where Are the Girls?: Exploring Influences on Female Eighth Grade Public School Students' Choices of Technology Classes in Texas--A Mixed Method Action Research Study
Shasta Colon
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of South Carolina
There is a continuing trend of unrepresented female students in STEM classrooms, particularly in technology courses. There is a focus on the K-12 learning environment to increase the number of female STEM students, which will encourage a growth in participation for females in the STEM field (Sassler, Glass, Levitte, & Michelmore, 2017). The purpose of this study was to increase the number of females students who enroll in technology courses in a public school in Kether Independent School District (KISD). The participants were 66 eighth-grade female students who were enrolled in the College and Career Readiness (CCR) and Technology Applications classes and two eighth grade CTE teachers. An action research study was conducted to answer the research questions investigating; eighth-grade female students' perceptions about technology courses at KISD, the factors that influence the eighth-grade female students' choice of technology courses at KISD, and how eighth grade CTE teachers perceive factors influencing eighth-grade female students' choices of technology courses at KISD. The data collection instruments included a student survey with open-ended questions, to collect both quantitative and qualitative data as well as semi-structured instructor interview protocols, to explore the educators' perspectives. Quantitative data was collected in the form of a student surveys and analyzed using JASP software. Descriptive statistics was used to describe quantitative findings. The findings showed that the female participants generally had a positive perception of technology classes. The factor with the greatest influence was peers (M = 3.28, SD = 0.70). Qualitative data was collected in the form of student open-ended survey questions and teachers' interviews. Inductive analysis was used to locate themes from the open-ended survey questions and teacher interviews. Qualitative findings showed that parental involvement has a large influence on the female participants choice to enroll in a technology course. The study discussed recommendations were made for classroom teachers, students, and district administration to assist in increasing the number of female students who enroll in technology courses. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 8; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A