The Relationship between Computer Anxiety and Computer Self-Efficacy

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy of students and teachers in elementary and secondary schools. The sample included a total of 845 subjects from two private school systems in Turkey. The Oetting’s Computer Anxiety Scale was used to measure computer anxiety whereas the Murphy’s Computer Self-Efficacy Scale was used to measure computer self-efficacy of subjects. The results demonstrated that elementary students were less-anxious than secondary students; males had lower anxiety scores than females; and the difference between anxiety scores of students and teachers was not significant. However, students had higher self-efficacy scores than their teachers; elementary students were more self-efficient than secondary students; and males had higher computer self-efficacy scores than females. The correlation between the variables of computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy was moderate, negative, and significant.

Keywords

• Computer anxiety, Computer self-efficacy, Attitudes toward computers, Beliefs about computers, Elementary education, Secondary education

References

1. Arani, O. K. (2001). Researching computer self-efficacy. International Education Journal, 2(4), 17-25.
2. Badagliacco, J. M. (1990). Gender and race differences in computing attitudes and experience. Social Science Computer Review, 8, 42-64.
3. Beckers, J. J. & Schmidt, H. G. (2001). The structure of computer anxiety: A six-factor model. Computers in Human Behavior, 17(1), 35-49.
4. Brosnan, M. J. (1998). The impact of computer anxiety and self-efficacy upon performance. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 14(3), 223-234.
5. Chou, C. (2003). Incidences and correlates of Internet anxiety among high school teachers in Taiwan. Computers in Human Behavior, 19, 731–749
6. Chua, S. L., Chen, D., & Wong, A. F. L. (1999). Computer anxiety and its correlates: A meta- analysis. Computers in Human Behavior, 15, 609-623.
7. Compeau, D. R. & Higgins, C. A. (1995). Computer self-efficacy: Development for a measure and initial test. MIS Quarterly, 19, 189-211.
8. Doyle, E., Stamouli, I., & Huggard, M. (2005, October). Computer anxiety, self-efficacy, and computer experience: An investigation throughout a computer science degree. Paper presented at the 35th ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference. Indianapolis, USA.

9. Gordon, M., Killey, M., Shevlin, M., McIlroy, D., & Tierney, K. (2003). The factor structure of the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale and the Computer Thoughts Survey. Computers in Human Behavior, 19, 291–298
10. Hackett, G. (1985). The role of mathematics self-efficacy in the choice of math-related majors of college women and men: A path analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 32, 47- 56.
11. Hasan, B. (2003). The influence of specific computer experiences on computer self-efficacy beliefs. Computers in Human Behavior, 19, 443-450.
12. Harrington, K. V., McElroy, J. C., Morrow, P. C. (1990). Computer anxiety and computer-based training: A laboratory experiment. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 6, 343- 358.
13. Johnson, R. D. (2005). An empirical investigation of sources of application specific computer self-efficacy and mediators of the efficacy-performance relationship. International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, 62(6), 737-758.
14. Karsten, R. & Roth, R. M. (1998). Computer self-efficacy: A practical indicator of student computer competency in introductory IS courses. Informing Science, 1(3), 61-68.
15. Kinzie, M. B., Delcourt, M. A. B., Powers, S. M. (1994). Computer technologies: Attitudes and self-efficacy across undergraduate disciplines. Research in Higher Education, 35, 745- 768.
16. Konerding, U. (2007). The effects of two computer-related university courses on computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy. Retrieved on March 3, 2007 from: http://www.educat.hu-berlin.de/mv/forschung/zero.thm
17. Koroboli, S. & Togia, A., & Malliari, A. (2010). Computer anxiety and attitudes among undergraduate students in Greece. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(3), 399-405.
18. Liang, J. C. & Tsai, C. C. (2008). Internet self-efficacy and preferences toward constructivist Internet-based learning environments: A study of pre-school teachers in Taiwan. Educational Technology & Society, 11(1), 226-237.
19. Maurer, M. M. (1994). Computer anxiety correlates and what they tell us: A literature review. Computers in Human Behavior, 10(3), 369–376.
20. McIlroy, D., Bunting, B., Tierney, K., & Gordon, M. (2001). The relation of gender and background experience to self-reported computing anxiety and cognitions. Computers in Human Behavior, 17(1), 21-33.
21. Miura, I. T. (1987). The relationship of computer self-efficacy expectations to computer interest and course enrollment in college. Sex Roles, 16(5-6), 303-311.
22. Roslan, S. & Mun, T. C. (2005). Relationships between sources and dimensions of computer anxiety. Malaysian Online Journal of Instructional Technology, 2(2), 41-49.
23. Sam, H. K., Othman, A. E. A., Nordin, Z. S. (2005). Computer self-efficacy, computer anxiety, and attitudes toward the Internet: A study among undergraduates in Unimas. Educational Technology & Society, 8(4), 205-219.
24. Shaw, F. S. & Giacquinta, J. B. (2000). A survey of graduate students as end users of computer technology: New roles for the faculty. Information Technology, Learning, and Performance Journal, 18(1), 21-39.
25. Tourkzadeh, G. & Angula, I. E. (1992). The concept and correlates of computer anxiety. Behavior and Information Technology, 11, 99-108.
26. Tourkzadeh, G. & Koufterous, X. (1994). Factorial validity of a computer self-efficacy scale and the impact of computer training. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 54(3), 813-921.
27. Webster, J. & Martocchio, J. J. (1992). Microcomputer playfulness: Development of a measure with workplace implications. MIS Quarterly, 16(2), 201-226.
28. Weil, M. M. & Rosen, L. D. (1995). The psychological impact of technology from a global perspective: A study of technological sophistication and technophobia in university students from twenty three countries. Computers in Human Behavior, 11(1), 95-133.
29. Zhang, Y. & Espinoza, S. (1998). Relationships among computer self-efficacy, attitudes toward computers, and desirability of learning computing skills. Journal of Research on Technology in education, 30(4), 420-436.
30. Correspondence: Ali Simsek, Professor, Institute of Communication Sciences, Anadolu
31. University, Yunus Emre Campus, Eskisehir 26470, Turkey