Making all US citizens technologically literate necessitates investigation into how to achieve this literacy. The Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology (STL) is intentional about ensuring technological literacy in all students. Instilling this knowledge in elementary students is an emerging field that requires assessment tools that conveys understanding into what student attitudes are about technology and technological concepts. Developing appropriate technology education curriculum that promotes meaningful and integrative learning hinges on a comprehensive and clear understanding of these attitudes. Originally designed for middle school age students, the PATT (Pupils' Attitudes toward Technology) instrument was developed and administered in the Netherlands. In 1988 the PATT- USA instrument, translated from Dutch to English, was given to 10,000 US middle and high school students and was validated for assessing their attitudes toward technology. Due to the age of the instrument, dated technological terminology was updated with language reflective of today utilizing inter-rater analysis. The purpose of this descriptive research examines the viability of using the modified PATT, now the PATT-ELEM, instrument with elementary students in the assessment of their attitude toward technology. / Ed. D.

Dimensions of a polytomous employee attitude survey were examined for the presence of differential item functioning (DIF) and differential test functioning (DTF) utilizing Raju, van der Linden, & Fleer's (1995) differential functioning of items and tests (DFIT) framework. Comparisons were made between managers and non-managers on the 'Management' dimension and between medical staff and nurse staff employees on both the 'Management' and 'Quality of Care and Service' dimensions. 2 out of 21 items from the manager/non-manager comparison were found to have significant DIF, supporting the generalizability of Lynch, Barnes-Farell, and Kulikowich (1998). No items from the medical staff/nurse staff comparisons were found to have DIF. The DTF results indicated that in two out of the three comparisons 1 item could be removed to create dimensions free from DTF. Based on the current findings implications and future research are discussed. / Master of Science

This research was undertaken to determine factors causing career indecision of schoolleavers in Kwandebele. Literature study indicates that factors such as interest, sex, dependency, vocational immaturity, the economy and politics have a direct influence on career indecision. Literature study further indicates that parties involved in career decision-making also contribute to career indecision. 424 Kwandebele school leavers answered questionnaires. The schoolleavers were requested to indicate the importance and contributions of five categories, namely personal aspects, family, school, guidance teacher and society to his career choice making process. Most of the personal aspects were regarded as important and also the other four categories showed a significant difference between school leavers who have made a choice and those that have not made a choice. This research could not cover the implication of career education at all levels of the child, recommendations for future research have been made. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This research was undertaken to determine factors causing career indecision of schoolleavers in Kwandebele. Literature study indicates that factors such as interest, sex, dependency, vocational immaturity, the economy and politics have a direct influence on career indecision. Literature study further indicates that parties involved in career decision-making also contribute to career indecision. 424 Kwandebele school leavers answered questionnaires. The schoolleavers were requested to indicate the importance and contributions of five categories, namely personal aspects, family, school, guidance teacher and society to his career choice making process. Most of the personal aspects were regarded as important and also the other four categories showed a significant difference between school leavers who have made a choice and those that have not made a choice. This research could not cover the implication of career education at all levels of the child, recommendations for future research have been made. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)