Gender differences in experiences of TAFE IT students: a work in progress Raina Mason, Graham Cooper, Tim Comber, Anne Hellou, Julie Tucker

Context of research Figure 1: Percentage of female students in NCIT IT courses (Data provided by NCIT 2013) Not traditional attrition. Choose not to progress to next course.

IT : % females decreasing All courses: % females constant.

Previous Research Family obligations Lower self-confidence Lower computer literacy Non-available desired course Societal gender expectations (Cohoon 2001; Katz et al. 2006; Roberts et al. 2012; West & Ross 2002) Non-starters Non-completers GAP: completion of current course but fail to progress to next course Currently happening at TAFE

Longitudinal Surveys - online Beginning of Semester Mid-semester End of Semester 78 respondents 65 complete/mostly complete Exploratory Range of factors Likert, Closed and Open responses Data analysis incomplete Baseline (Survey 1) analysis completed

Demographics

30% males, 60% females employed

Financial Pressure “If you had to do so in an emergency, could you find $2000 within 48 hours?” 60% of females working, 30% of males Around 50% of both males/females identified they were experiencing financial pressure.

Computer Use/Literacy Males use computers more at home No difference at work Total time: females use computers more. Generally high computer literacy No difference between females and males

Attitudes “I feel confident in my ability to study in this course.” “I feel confident in my ability in information technology.” “I feel excited about studying in my course.” “I feel fearful about what might be expected of me in my course.” “I feel confident that the skills I will learn will benefit me in the future.” Females less confident [p = ] Trend towards females being less confident Both high (no difference) Both mid (no difference) Both high (no difference)

Next steps – Surveys 2 and 3 Longitudinal Support Community of learners Friendships Difficulty of course (various aspects) Kessler 10 Open questions Stage 2: Interviews ~ 20 participants Data collection just completed

Next steps Just regional TAFEs?  Compare with metropolitan TAFE data  Compare with intentions of commencing Uni IT students/private provider students Re-run the surveys Incentive to attract more young people Follow up issues identified in results Design and Conduct Intervention

Questions Thank you