Pupils' attitudes towards technology in Malta

Abstract

Technology has infiltrated our daily lives on such a large scale that it is, perhaps, taken for granted and the thought processes behind it are not acknowledged. Through a questionnaire this dissertation will explore Maltese pupils' attitudes towards technology. The questionnaire was, with suitable adaptations, based on the 1988 questionnaire used in the Pupils' Attitudes Towards Technology (PATT) USA research. Adaptations were necessary to take account of the change in locality and the developments that have taken place in the world of technology. The research was carried out within four primary schools and six secondary schools with students aged 10 to 16 years old. It explores pupils' understanding of what technology is and their attitudes towards it. The study particularly explores what affects these attitudes and concepts. The findings show that the main factors are age, gender and whether or not pupils have ever had Design and Technology. The dissertation also explores why these factors make a difference and makes suggestions as to how to help students gain better attitudes and concepts towards technology.