Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approaches

This study conducts a systematic review of the literature to investigate gender disparities in K-12 computer science (CS) education. We selected articles published in peer-reviewed journals that focused on both cognitive and affective aspects of computational thinking and CS education at the primary...

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Main Authors: Kyungbin Kwon, Sang Joon Lee, Keunjae Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-06-01
Series:Computers and Education Open
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666557325000126
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author Kyungbin Kwon
Sang Joon Lee
Keunjae Kim
author_facet Kyungbin Kwon
Sang Joon Lee
Keunjae Kim
author_sort Kyungbin Kwon
collection DOAJ
description This study conducts a systematic review of the literature to investigate gender disparities in K-12 computer science (CS) education. We selected articles published in peer-reviewed journals that focused on both cognitive and affective aspects of computational thinking and CS education at the primary and secondary levels. A total of 29 studies were reviewed, and their findings were synthesized to assess the status of gender disparities, contributing factors, and instructional approaches. The results indicated that gender differences in cognitive and affective dimensions of CS education become more evident as students advance through school, with a greater negative impact on girls. The review identified three interconnected factors contributing to these disparities: socio-cultural influences, educational environments, and individual psychological factors. Additionally, the study proposed instructional approaches to address these issues and recommended future research to fill the current gaps in CS education research.
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series Computers and Education Open
spelling doaj-art-2e4e47e761494b6d81a2a1fd4984a6fc2025-08-20T03:21:16ZengElsevierComputers and Education Open2666-55732025-06-01810025310.1016/j.caeo.2025.100253Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approachesKyungbin Kwon0Sang Joon Lee1Keunjae Kim2Learning, Design, and Adult Education, Indiana University – Bloomington, 201 N. Rose Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405 USA; Corresponding author.Industrial Technology, Instructional Design, and Community College Leadership Mississippi State University, Box 9730, Mississippi State, MS, USALearning, Design, and Adult Education, Indiana University – Bloomington, 201 N. Rose Ave., Bloomington, IN 47405 USAThis study conducts a systematic review of the literature to investigate gender disparities in K-12 computer science (CS) education. We selected articles published in peer-reviewed journals that focused on both cognitive and affective aspects of computational thinking and CS education at the primary and secondary levels. A total of 29 studies were reviewed, and their findings were synthesized to assess the status of gender disparities, contributing factors, and instructional approaches. The results indicated that gender differences in cognitive and affective dimensions of CS education become more evident as students advance through school, with a greater negative impact on girls. The review identified three interconnected factors contributing to these disparities: socio-cultural influences, educational environments, and individual psychological factors. Additionally, the study proposed instructional approaches to address these issues and recommended future research to fill the current gaps in CS education research.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666557325000126Gender disparityCS educationSystematic reviewComputational thinkingK-12 education
spellingShingle Kyungbin Kwon
Sang Joon Lee
Keunjae Kim
Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approaches
Computers and Education Open
Gender disparity
CS education
Systematic review
Computational thinking
K-12 education
title Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approaches
title_full Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approaches
title_fullStr Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approaches
title_full_unstemmed Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approaches
title_short Gender disparities in K-12 computer science education: Status, contributing factors, and instructional approaches
title_sort gender disparities in k 12 computer science education status contributing factors and instructional approaches
topic Gender disparity
CS education
Systematic review
Computational thinking
K-12 education
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666557325000126
work_keys_str_mv AT kyungbinkwon genderdisparitiesink12computerscienceeducationstatuscontributingfactorsandinstructionalapproaches
AT sangjoonlee genderdisparitiesink12computerscienceeducationstatuscontributingfactorsandinstructionalapproaches
AT keunjaekim genderdisparitiesink12computerscienceeducationstatuscontributingfactorsandinstructionalapproaches