Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate middle school student perception and attitude toward technology and engineering and to better understand how the gender of the teacher, gender of the student, and information provided in technology classes affected their perception and attitude. To accomplish this, the Technology Attitude Scale, and the Pupil's Attitudes Toward Technology—United States assessment instruments were used to form the basis of a new survey instrument focused on technology and engineering perception, use, and interest. The new survey instrument is called the Technology and Engineering Attitude Scale (TEAS) survey. Multiple 7th grade technology engineering classes from four different schools in Utah were included in the study. The student survey responses during the first two weeks and last two weeks of their technology engineering class were triangulated with qualitative information gained from class visit and interviews to better understand their conception and attitude to technology and engineering. A key finding was that male students showed higher learning and career interest at the onset, while the female students' interest increased significantly over the term of classroom instruction.
Degree
MS
College and Department
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Technology
Rights
http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Cook, Kari Marie, "An Investigation of Middle School Student Interest, Perception, and Attitude Toward Technology and Engineering" (2009). Theses and Dissertations. 1800.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1800
Date Submitted
2009-07-10
Document Type
Thesis
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd3036
Keywords
middle school, student, perception, attitude, interest, technology, engineering, gender, female, male
Language
English
Technology Emphasis
Technology Engineering Education (TEE)