Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Computer literacy; Computers--Study and teaching;

Abstract

This investigation centers on the impact the computer, as an instrument, has on computer anxiety. Other variables examined were gender, age, academic experience, and computer experience. Eighty-three rural Iowa high school juniors and seniors were administered a Computer Opinion Survey {Maurer & Simonson, 1984) as a measure of computer anxiety. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group that completed the survey using the traditional paper and pencil method, or an experimental group which completed the survey by entering their responses at a computer terminal. It was anticipated that if the computer were a major factor in increasing computer anxiety, then the experimental group would exhibit a higher mean anxiety score. Results indicated no significant difference in mean anxiety scores between the two groups. Significantly lower anxiety scores were observed for subjects with prior computer experience such as word processing, participation in a computer class, regular computer use, or availability of a computer at home. It was concluded that the previous computer experience of the user and the application that the computer is used for, and not the computer itself, may have a greater influence on increasing and/or decreasing computer anxiety.

Year of Submission

1990

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

First Advisor

Sharon Smaldino

Second Advisor

Robert H. Decker

Third Advisor

Roger A. Kueter

Comments

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Date Original

1990

Object Description

1 PDF file (65 leaves)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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