Examining Secondary School Students’ Perceptions of Computer Self-efficacy in Terms of Gender and Class Level Variables (original) (raw)
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Journal of Educational Computing Research, 2002
The article describes the development and validation of the 30-item Computer User Self-efficacy (CUSE) Scale. Self-efficacy beliefs have been identified as a factor which may contribute to the success with which a task is completed. Because of the increasing reliance on computer technologies in all aspects of life, it is important that the construct is measured accurately and appropriately. In particular, the article focuses on the measurement of computer self-efficacy in student computer users and its relevance to learning in higher education. The scale was found to have high levels of internal and external reliability and construct validity. Results also showed there to be significant positive correlations between CSE and computer experience, familiarity with computer software packages (which were significant predictors of CSE) and that owning a computer and computer training increased CSE. In addition, males showed significantly higher CSE than females. It is suggested that the scale may be used to identify individuals, in particular students, who will find it difficult to exploit a learning environment which relies heavily on computer technologies. Once identified, motivational and personal control issues can be addressed with these individuals. 133
An Examination of Students’ Self-Efficacy Beliefs and Demonstrated Computer Skills
Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology
For the past 20 years or more, the issue of computer literacy has been on the forefront of education and employment. Since the evolution of the personal computer, human resource recruiters have identified computer literacy as a viable skill essential for prospective employees. Computer literacy necessitates understanding and knowledge of computer usage with the ability to retrieve, organize, analyze, describe, and present various types of information in an appropriate manner. Research dating back to the early 1990's conveyed overwhelmingly a lack of computer literacy skills found in college students and graduates. It is important to understand how today's growing population of students are progressing with technological advances relative to computer applications. By common consent, nearly every job seeker needs basic computer skills and the ability to use such applications as word processors, spreadsheets, database programs and presentation software to function in today's job market. Thus, this article considers students' self-efficacy beliefs regarding their level of computer proficiency and their demonstrated knowledge and skills using Microsoft Word, Excel PowerPoint and Access. The study spans a period of 3 years and is conducted at two historically Black institutions located in the southern part of the United States. Data collection includes a survey and graded application assignments from 156 students enrolled in Microcomputer Application courses offered through the College of Business. The findings revealed discrepancies between students' self-efficacy beliefs regarding their level of computer knowledge and skills and students' demonstrated abilities using Word, Excel and Access; on the other hand, no discrepancies were reported with Power-Point.
The Role of Gender and Prior Experience in Judgments of Generalized Computer Self-Efficacy
2005
Computer self-efficacy is frequently used as an explanatory variable in software training and technology acceptance investigations. It has been frequently used to predict training and learning outcomes and some investigations have examined the malleability of computer self-efficacy in response to positive and negative training experiences. Computer self-efficacy models identify prior experience with computers as an important determinant of self-efficacy judgments; however, few studies have systematically examined this. Gender and frequency of computer use have been identified as other predictors of generalized computer self-efficacy. In this investigation, proficiency ratings on nineteen dimensions of computer knowledge are used to measure prior experience/knowledge of computers. These were collected from more than 300 university students at the same time that they completed an online generalized computer self-efficacy scale. This data is used to test two predictions: 1) that greate...