In this study, one aspect that was analyzed was the students' usage of the online resources such as the LMS Moodle. As expected, usage of the platform was higher for both male and female students after online learning took place than before. On average, women used the LMS Moodle more than men and the average grade for female students was higher than men, to the point where overall course grades for women were significantly higher. (73.38 points for women, 56.9 points for men) Female students seemed to have worked harder with online resources during the online learning phase of the class. 

University of California, Berkeley

Since the study was based on a class, the period of data collection took place from February to May 2020, during which the first three weeks involved in-person teaching while the period after that (during which stay-at-home orders took place because of the pandemic) involved online learning. Activity logs, monitoring LMS Moodle, and online surveys were used to collect data used for the analysis of the gender gap. Credits for completed activities, exam grades, and overall course grades were part of the analysis. The subjects were at least 167 students in the Technical University of Kosice, Faculty of Economics, in Slovakia. Statistical analysis was done using R software as well as further analysis of the gender gap using IBM SPSS statistic software and Pearson's Chi-square test for categorical answers to survey questions. 

Research Methods for Gender Gap in Informatics Study

Palova, D., Nyulasziova, M., &amp; Vejacka, M. (2020). Analysis of Students' Approach to the Study of Informatics During Pandemic Quarantine. Journal of Woman's Entrepreneurship and Education, (3-4). DOI:10.28934/jwee20.34.pp79-98  

Analysis of Students' Approach to the Study of Informatics During Pandemic Quarantine

Results- Online Platform Use 

For this study, results gathered from data collection of students in the class revealed differences in gender as to which part of the class was most interesting to them. While female students found all parts of the class interesting (except for the enterprise information systems part), there was a significant difference for male students within their group and compared to female students. The majority of male students found data management using Microsoft Excel to be the most interesting part of the course.

Results- Course Themes 

According to the study, regarding communication for students in the course, e-mail was the most used method by male and female students. Female students did communicate using Microsoft Teams far more than male students and communicated more often than male students, including with their teachers. In addition, women took part in random activities more often than men, supporting the observation that female students were more involved in online learning. 

Results- Communication and Activities

The rest of the results in the study indicated that women would be more likely than men to recommend this informatics course to others (85 percent to 68 percent respectively). Female students were also more satisfied than male students, though not significantly (59 to 45 percent respectively). Overall, both groups of students seemed to have adjusted to the online learning approach brought on by the pandemic. However, this study was one that showed women studying harder in this computer science course and performing better on average compared to men. 

Learn Before

Related