STEREOTYPES AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION: DIFFERENT PERCEPTIONS OF COMPUTER CAREER AMONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Prior studies indicated that children's images of science and engineering greatly influenced their attitude toward career choice. This study explored how elementary school students perceived computer professionals and computer job tasks. Sixty-four students attending computer camps in 2 cities participated in the study. The Draw-a-Scientist Test was employed and interviews were performed to collect and analyze student perceptions of computer professionals and computer job tasks. The results indicated that the students held contrasting perceptions of computer professionals. Although some students envisioned computer professionals with stereotypical characteristics, such as poor eyesight and unsociability, many students viewed computer professionals as people who were knowledgeable, mild tempered, and socially attractive. Moreover, students residing in different areas had conflicting perceptions of computer professionals because of personal experience with various types of computer professional. The results suggested that students did not stereotype computer careers according to gender, but female students exhibited a more negative attitude toward computer careers than did male students. To shape student views on computer jobs and career choices effectively, the researchers suggest providing students with learning opportunities in life contexts to understand the nature of computer professions.