Quantitative Research Results From the National Science Foundation Tri-Regional Information Technology (Tri-IT) Project for High School Girls

• In Event: Roundtable Session 67
  In Roundtable Session: Technology, Instruction, Cognition and Learning SIG Roundtable 2: Issues in Technology, Instruction, Cognition, and Learning

Abstract

This $1.5 million research project was funded by the NSF. A treatment group of 180 girls in six high schools in North Florida was compared to a control group of 180 girls. Schools targeted were high minority, low socioeconomic status schools. Students in the treatment group received 280 hours of IT instruction, including three 40-hour summer academies and 40 hours of after-school instruction each fall and spring for two years. Three pre- and post- assessments were administered to each treatment and control group student: the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire, Computer Attitudes Questionnaire, and TechLiteracy Assessment. Findings indicate gains in knowledge and confidence, but paradoxially decreases in interest and motivation, possibly due to a time of year effect.

Authors

• LaDonna K. Morris, Florida State College - Jacksonville

• Larry G. Daniel, University of North Florida