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High School Students' Attitudes Towards Information Technology Courses

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 143 - 153
https://doi.org/10.71249/ssci.1790890

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine high school students' attitudes toward Information Technology (IT) courses and to examine whether these attitudes differ according to gender, grade level, and residence. The study used the Attitude Scale Towards Information Technology Courses developed by Işık (2010) and validated and tested for reliability by Işık and Rıza (2011). The study group consisted of a total of 178 students enrolled in the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using the descriptive survey model, one of the quantitative research methods, and descriptive statistics and independent samples t-tests were applied in the analyses. The analyses revealed that the scale is highly reliable, that students' overall attitude scores toward the IT course are high, and that they generally exhibit a positive attitude toward the course. Male students' attitude scores were found to be significantly higher than female students, while no significant differences were found between female and male students in terms of grade level and location variables. The results reveal that positive attitudes toward the IT course are widespread, but gender-based differences persist. These findings point to the importance of pedagogical support to increase female students' participation in technology. Furthermore, it is recommended that the IT course be enriched with differentiated teaching strategies which will strengthen students' interest and motivation.

References

  • Ajzen, I. (2005). Attitudes, personality, and behavior (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press/ McGraw-Hill.
  • Anderson, L. W. & Çıkrıkçı, N. (1991). Measurement of attitudes. Ankara University Journal of Educational Sciences, 24(1), 241–250.
  • Aşkar, P., & Umay, A. (2001). The relationship between primary school mathematics teacher education students' attitudes toward computers and their attitudes toward computer-assisted instruction. Hacettepe University Faculty of Education Journal, 21, 27–33.
  • Aydoğan, D., (2013). The research of relationship between the attitudes of 8th grade primary school students towards ınformation technologies and ınformation technologies literacy, Journal of the Institute of Social Sciences, Kafkas University 11- 2013, 63-76
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2012). Data Analysis Handbook for the Social Sciences. Ankara: Pegem Academy Publishing
  • Cheong, C. M. & Cheong, W. S. (2008). Online discussion and critical thinking skills: A case study in a Singapore secondary school. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 24(5), 556–574. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.1191
  • Cooper, J. (2006). The digital divide: The special case of gender. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 22(5), 320–334. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2006.00185.x
  • Demirer, V., & Şahin, İ. (2008, Mayıs). Primary school students' attitudes towards information technology courses. 8th International Conference on Educational Technologies, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
  • Durndell, A., & Haag, Z. (2002). Computer self efficacy, computer anxiety, attitudes towards the Internet and reported experience with the Internet, by gender, in an East European sample. Computers in Human Behavior, 18(5), 521–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(02)00006-7
  • Ece, F., & Çendek, M. H. (2022). An Investigation of Middle School Students' Attitudes Towards Information Technology and Software Courses. Göbeklitepe Journal of Education and Sports Sciences, 1(1), 12-22.
  • Ertmer, P. A., & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T. (2010). Teacher technology change: How knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and culture intersect. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(3), 255–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2010.10782551
  • Esgil, M., & Gündüz, Ş. (2019). The effect of coding activities on students' attitudes toward computers and their affective participation in computer science classes. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Education Journal, 1(2), 162-174.
  • Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2019). Artificial intelligence in education: Promises and implications for teaching and learning. Boston, MA: Center for Curriculum Redesign.
  • Ilomäki, L., Paavola, S., Lakkala, M., & Kantosalo, A. (2016). Digital competence – An emergent boundary concept for policy and educational research. Education and Information Technologies, 21(3), 655–679. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-014-9346-4
  • Işık, A. D. (2010), Effects of the learning package prepared in line with the constructivist approach for the information technology course, Dokuz Eylül University Institute of Educational Sciences, Department of Primary Education Doctoral Thesis, İzmir.
  • Işık, A. D., & Rıza, E. T. (2011). Validity and reliability study of the attitude scale for the information technology course. e-Journal of New World Sciences Academy, 6(1), 46–53
  • Kay, R. H. (2006). Addressing gender differences in computer ability, attitudes and use: The laptop effect. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 34(2), 187–211. https://doi.org/10.2190/9BLQ-883Y-XQMA-FCAH
  • Kurt, A. S., İnce, P., Taş Arslan F., (2014). Elementary school students’ attitudes towards computer, The Journal of Pediatric Research 2014;1(1):22-7 Livingstone, S. (2012). Critical reflections on the benefits of ICT in education. Oxford Review of Education, 38(1), 9–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2011.577938
  • MoNE, (2023). Secondary Education Computer Technologies And Software Course Curriculum https://mufredat.meb.gov.tr/ProgramDetay.aspx?PID=1663
  • Ng, W. (2012). Can we teach digital natives digital literacy? Computers & Education, 59(3), 1065–1078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.04.016
  • Nunnally, J.C. and Bernstein, I.H. (1994) The Assessment of Reliability. Psychometric Theory, 3, 248-292.
  • OECD. (2021). 21st-Century Readers: Developing literacy skills in a digital world. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/a83d84cb-en
  • Önal, N. (2020). An investigation into the attitudes of science high school students towards computers. International Journal of Active Learning, 5(2), 57-68.
  • Özgenel, M., Baydar, F., Çalışkan Yılmaz, F. (2018). An Investigation into the Relationship between Secondary School Students' Attitudes towards Information Technology and Software Courses and their Academic Achievement. Journal of Turkish Studies Volume:13 Issue:6 sayfa:111-128 DOI:10.7827/TurkishStudies.12962
  • Öztuzcu, Ö., & Karamete, A. (2022). Determining middle school students' perceptions of their self-efficacy in information technology and their views on information technology and software courses. Journal of Open Education Applications and Research, 8(1), 64-86. https://doi.org/10.51948/auad.1004830
  • Papastergiou, M. (2009). Digital game-based learning in high school computer science education: Impact on educational effectiveness and student motivation. Computers & Education, 52(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.06.004
  • Pekrun, R. (2006). The control-value theory of achievement emotions: Assumptions, corollaries, and implications for educational research and practice. Educational Psychology Review, 18(4), 315–341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-006-9029-9
  • Rıza, E. T., & Işık, A. D. (2007, Mayıs). Primary school pupils' thoughts, attitudes and behaviours towards optional computer lessons and computers.. I. International Symposium on Computer and Instructional Technologies, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi, Çanakkale.
  • Tavşancıl, E. (2002). Measuring attitudes and data analysis with SPSS. Ankara: Nobel Publishing Distribution.
  • Teo, T. (2008). Pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards computer use: A Singapore survey. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 24(4), 413–424. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.1201
  • Timur, S., Yılmaz Ş., Timur B. (2014) Investıgatıng Mıddle School Students’ Attıtudes Towards Computers, Asian Journal of Instruction, 2(1), 16-26, e-ISSN:2148-2659
  • Tondeur, J., Aesaert, K., Prestridge, S., & Consuegra, E. (2018). A multilevel analysis of what matters in the training of pre-service teacher’s ICT competencies. Computers & Education, 122, 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.03.002
  • Voogt, J., & Roblin, N. P. (2012). A comparative analysis of international frameworks for 21st century competences: Implications for national curriculum policies. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 44(3), 299–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2012.668938
  • Voogt, J., Knezek, G., Cox, M., Knezek, D., & Brummelhuis, A. (2013). Under which conditions does ICT have a positive effect on teaching and learning? A call to action. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 29(1) DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00453.x

Year 2025, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 143 - 153
https://doi.org/10.71249/ssci.1790890

Abstract

References

  • Ajzen, I. (2005). Attitudes, personality, and behavior (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press/ McGraw-Hill.
  • Anderson, L. W. & Çıkrıkçı, N. (1991). Measurement of attitudes. Ankara University Journal of Educational Sciences, 24(1), 241–250.
  • Aşkar, P., & Umay, A. (2001). The relationship between primary school mathematics teacher education students' attitudes toward computers and their attitudes toward computer-assisted instruction. Hacettepe University Faculty of Education Journal, 21, 27–33.
  • Aydoğan, D., (2013). The research of relationship between the attitudes of 8th grade primary school students towards ınformation technologies and ınformation technologies literacy, Journal of the Institute of Social Sciences, Kafkas University 11- 2013, 63-76
  • Büyüköztürk, Ş. (2012). Data Analysis Handbook for the Social Sciences. Ankara: Pegem Academy Publishing
  • Cheong, C. M. & Cheong, W. S. (2008). Online discussion and critical thinking skills: A case study in a Singapore secondary school. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 24(5), 556–574. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.1191
  • Cooper, J. (2006). The digital divide: The special case of gender. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 22(5), 320–334. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2006.00185.x
  • Demirer, V., & Şahin, İ. (2008, Mayıs). Primary school students' attitudes towards information technology courses. 8th International Conference on Educational Technologies, Anadolu University, Eskişehir.
  • Durndell, A., & Haag, Z. (2002). Computer self efficacy, computer anxiety, attitudes towards the Internet and reported experience with the Internet, by gender, in an East European sample. Computers in Human Behavior, 18(5), 521–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0747-5632(02)00006-7
  • Ece, F., & Çendek, M. H. (2022). An Investigation of Middle School Students' Attitudes Towards Information Technology and Software Courses. Göbeklitepe Journal of Education and Sports Sciences, 1(1), 12-22.
  • Ertmer, P. A., & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T. (2010). Teacher technology change: How knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and culture intersect. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 42(3), 255–284. https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2010.10782551
  • Esgil, M., & Gündüz, Ş. (2019). The effect of coding activities on students' attitudes toward computers and their affective participation in computer science classes. Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Education Journal, 1(2), 162-174.
  • Holmes, W., Bialik, M., & Fadel, C. (2019). Artificial intelligence in education: Promises and implications for teaching and learning. Boston, MA: Center for Curriculum Redesign.
  • Ilomäki, L., Paavola, S., Lakkala, M., & Kantosalo, A. (2016). Digital competence – An emergent boundary concept for policy and educational research. Education and Information Technologies, 21(3), 655–679. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-014-9346-4
  • Işık, A. D. (2010), Effects of the learning package prepared in line with the constructivist approach for the information technology course, Dokuz Eylül University Institute of Educational Sciences, Department of Primary Education Doctoral Thesis, İzmir.
  • Işık, A. D., & Rıza, E. T. (2011). Validity and reliability study of the attitude scale for the information technology course. e-Journal of New World Sciences Academy, 6(1), 46–53
  • Kay, R. H. (2006). Addressing gender differences in computer ability, attitudes and use: The laptop effect. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 34(2), 187–211. https://doi.org/10.2190/9BLQ-883Y-XQMA-FCAH
  • Kurt, A. S., İnce, P., Taş Arslan F., (2014). Elementary school students’ attitudes towards computer, The Journal of Pediatric Research 2014;1(1):22-7 Livingstone, S. (2012). Critical reflections on the benefits of ICT in education. Oxford Review of Education, 38(1), 9–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2011.577938
  • MoNE, (2023). Secondary Education Computer Technologies And Software Course Curriculum https://mufredat.meb.gov.tr/ProgramDetay.aspx?PID=1663
  • Ng, W. (2012). Can we teach digital natives digital literacy? Computers & Education, 59(3), 1065–1078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.04.016
  • Nunnally, J.C. and Bernstein, I.H. (1994) The Assessment of Reliability. Psychometric Theory, 3, 248-292.
  • OECD. (2021). 21st-Century Readers: Developing literacy skills in a digital world. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/a83d84cb-en
  • Önal, N. (2020). An investigation into the attitudes of science high school students towards computers. International Journal of Active Learning, 5(2), 57-68.
  • Özgenel, M., Baydar, F., Çalışkan Yılmaz, F. (2018). An Investigation into the Relationship between Secondary School Students' Attitudes towards Information Technology and Software Courses and their Academic Achievement. Journal of Turkish Studies Volume:13 Issue:6 sayfa:111-128 DOI:10.7827/TurkishStudies.12962
  • Öztuzcu, Ö., & Karamete, A. (2022). Determining middle school students' perceptions of their self-efficacy in information technology and their views on information technology and software courses. Journal of Open Education Applications and Research, 8(1), 64-86. https://doi.org/10.51948/auad.1004830
  • Papastergiou, M. (2009). Digital game-based learning in high school computer science education: Impact on educational effectiveness and student motivation. Computers & Education, 52(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2008.06.004
  • Pekrun, R. (2006). The control-value theory of achievement emotions: Assumptions, corollaries, and implications for educational research and practice. Educational Psychology Review, 18(4), 315–341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-006-9029-9
  • Rıza, E. T., & Işık, A. D. (2007, Mayıs). Primary school pupils' thoughts, attitudes and behaviours towards optional computer lessons and computers.. I. International Symposium on Computer and Instructional Technologies, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi, Çanakkale.
  • Tavşancıl, E. (2002). Measuring attitudes and data analysis with SPSS. Ankara: Nobel Publishing Distribution.
  • Teo, T. (2008). Pre-service teachers’ attitudes towards computer use: A Singapore survey. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 24(4), 413–424. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.1201
  • Timur, S., Yılmaz Ş., Timur B. (2014) Investıgatıng Mıddle School Students’ Attıtudes Towards Computers, Asian Journal of Instruction, 2(1), 16-26, e-ISSN:2148-2659
  • Tondeur, J., Aesaert, K., Prestridge, S., & Consuegra, E. (2018). A multilevel analysis of what matters in the training of pre-service teacher’s ICT competencies. Computers & Education, 122, 32–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.03.002
  • Voogt, J., & Roblin, N. P. (2012). A comparative analysis of international frameworks for 21st century competences: Implications for national curriculum policies. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 44(3), 299–321. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2012.668938
  • Voogt, J., Knezek, G., Cox, M., Knezek, D., & Brummelhuis, A. (2013). Under which conditions does ICT have a positive effect on teaching and learning? A call to action. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 29(1) DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00453.x
There are 34 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Other Fields of Education (Other)
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Serap Akbaş 0009-0005-2341-9458

Vedat Akbaş 0000-0001-5917-7909

Early Pub Date November 7, 2025
Publication Date November 8, 2025
Submission Date September 25, 2025
Acceptance Date November 7, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 7 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Akbaş, S., & Akbaş, V. (2025). High School Students’ Attitudes Towards Information Technology Courses. Social Scientific Centered Issues, 7(2), 143-153. https://doi.org/10.71249/ssci.1790890

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