posted on 2007-06-04, 13:14authored byChris Chimwayange, Janet Davies
This paper presents some preliminary findings from
a multi-site case study of girls’ decision-making in
regard to participation in design and technology
subjects in Zimbabwe. The attitudes and perceptions
of fourth form girls, their design and technology
teachers, school principal and parents are explored
in one secondary school. Data were collected by
questionnaire, focus group and interview and
analysed through identification of recurring concepts
in the data. Complex and interrelated factors
influencing girls’ decisions for subject participation
were investigated through application of a model of
achievement related choice (Eccles, 1994). This
investigation supports the existence of eight factors,
indicating most significantly that girls place value in
subjects that provide the opportunity to fulfil their
self-image or are consistent with their self-image.
These findings contribute to understanding of girls’
participation in design and technology in the African
context, a dimension which is largely missing from
mainstream debates on the subject.