Volume 8
Volume 8, Number 33 |
June 21, 2010 |
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Michael E. Battig
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Abstract: Survey results from a two year project are presented. The survey instruments were developed through review of the literature involving similar studies of student perceptions and with the assistance of social scientists. The study includes both high school and college student perceptions of computing. The survey also contrasts student perceptions of “Computer Science” versus “Information Technology.” The results show that little difference exists between college and high school students’ perceptions. We suggest appropriate action items based on this and similar research coupled with a warning to avoid jumping to hasty conclusions based on empirical research where the numbers may not tell the whole story, i.e., avoid the embarrassment of the Piltdown Man fiasco from an earlier century.
Keywords: enrollment trends, student perceptions, information systems education, NSF scholarships, STEM, ITEST
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Recommended Citation: Battig (2010). Piltdown Man or Inconvenient Truth? A Two-year Study of Student Perceptions about Computing. Information Systems Education Journal, 8 (33). http://isedj.org/8/33/. ISSN: 1545-679X. (A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of ISECON 2008: §1512. ISSN: 1542-7382.)