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In Australia, national tests of mathematics achievement continue showing small but consistent gender differences in favor of boys. Societal views and pressures are among the factors invoked to explain such subtle but persistent differences. In this paper we focus directly on the beliefs of the general public about students’ learning of mathematics and the role played by computers, and then we compare the findings with data previously gathered from students. Although many considered it inappropriate to differentiate between boys and girls, gender based stereotyping was still evident. En Australia, los test nacionales del logro matemático continúan mostrando pequeñas pero consistentes diferencias de género en favor de los chicos. Las presiones y visiones sociales están entre los factores invocados para explicar tales diferencias sutiles pero persistentes. En este trabajo nos centramos directamente en las creencias del público en general acerca del aprendizaje matemático de los estudiantes y del papel desempeñado por los ordenadores, y después comparamos las conclusiones con datos previamente obtenidos de los estudiantes. Aunque muchos consideran inapropiado diferenciar entre niños y niñas, todavía son evidentes estereotipos basados en el género.

In Australia, national tests of mathematics achievement continue showing small but consistent gender differences in favor of boys. Societal views and pressures are among the factors invoked to explain such subtle but persistent differences. In this paper we focus directly on the beliefs of the general public about students' learning of mathematics and the role played by computers, and then we compare the findings with data previously gathered from students. Although many considered it inappropriate to differentiate between boys and girls, gender based stereotyping was still evident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]