Evaluating Gender Differences of
Attitudes and Perceptions Toward
PowerPoint for Preservice
Science Teachers
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1
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
2
James Madison University, MD, USA
Publication date: 2007-12-23
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2007;3(4):297-304
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
Microsoft PowerPoint™ has become the generic name used when describing slideware
applications. This study analyzed the gender differences of participant attitudes and
perceptions of various components of PowerPoint™ presentations. Preservice science
teachers (none licensed, mostly undergraduates) viewing PowerPoint™ presentations of
science content provided the data. The components of the presentations studied were:
text, graphics, the combination of text and graphics, narration, and appropriate use of
PowerPoint™ for teaching and learning science content. The affect of animations viewed
in prior participant PowerPoint™ experiences was also ascertained. A Kruskal-Wallis test
was calculated to analyze the differences between genders for the perceived effectiveness
of aforementioned components of PowerPoint™. Results showed a significant difference
(H<0.05) for the affect of graphics in PowerPoint™ on gender. Females found the
integration of graphics in PowerPoint™ to be a more effective approach to learning
science than did males.