Figure 2 shows average scores for the four student groups (Gender x Institution)
across the dependent measures related to willingness. The scores have been standardized
as proportions of total raw score.
Figure 2
Student Willingness to Try New Technology
Levels of overall willingness, seeing practical benefits and instrinsic motivation
did not vary by junior college or university attendance. However, the average level
of self-doubt was higher for university students, due to the particularly higher
scores for women and the particularly lower scores for junior college men. See Figure 3 for student personality differences that paralled
the differences in self-doubt.
Looking at the four sets of columns in Figure 2, one sees that both junior college
and university women scored differently than their male counterparts in consistent
ways. Female scores were significantly lower on overall willingness. The differences
in seeing practical benefits were not statistically significant, but were for self-doubt
and intrinsic motivation. Thus, the lower willingness to try educational technology
of women boils down to higher self-doubts and lower intrinsic motivational interests.
Differences in general calmness that paralled these gender findings are shown in
Figure 3.
To explore further the issue of female scores, a separate analysis of women students
split into low versus high willingness groups was performed. High willingness women
were significantly higher in seeing practical benefits and instrinsic motivation,
and were significantly lower in self-doubt. On the self-rating of personality traits,
these women described themselves as significantly more broad-minded, less steady
and less tidy than women who were low in willingness. These three traits suggest
an advantage to female students who are open to "messing around" with technology,
particularly when the technology is not predictably or neatly preset. Put another
way, a personal preference for predictable, neatly organized experience may interfere
with willingness to try technology among some women students.