The College Role in Diminishing the Digital Divide Gender Gap: Assessment of Male vs. Female Computer Access and Use

Higher education has been allied with the computer industry since the advent of the personal computer. In the past, an anomalous gap has been found to generally exist between males and females in the United States regarding the access and use of computers. The purpose of this study is to review research regarding college student computer access for males and females. The report will also examine computer ownership based on examination of the results of a college-based survey, as well as by comparisons to past and present technology ownership trends. While a number of colleges have published reports on the progress of their technological initiatives, few publish gender data in regard to the state of computer ownership or college supported access today in order to continue to monitor important digital divide trends. The findings of this study suggest that colleges and universities offering low-cost options for computer use, purchase, or lease, and Internet access, are critical in suppressing the gender gap