Home PublicationsJRTEPast IssuesVolume 31 Number 1

Edited by Diane McGrath, Kansas State University

formerly Journal of Research on Computing in Education

The Relationship of
Computer Experience and Computer Self-Efficacy to Performance in Introductory Computer Literacy Courses

Rex Karsten and Roberta M. Roth
University of Northern Iowa

Abstract

This study was designed to identify the relationships that exist among computer experience, computer self-efficacy, and computer-dependent performance in an introductory computer literacy course. Measures of computer experience and computer self-efficacy were assessed prior to student participation in the course, and their relationship to subsequent course performance was analyzed. Results suggest that it is the relevance, rather than quantity, of computer experience students bring to class that is most predictive of performance. Accordingly, only computer self-efficacy was found to be significantly related to computer-dependent course performance. Implications for educators charged with assessing the computer literacy of students entering college are discussed.

Contributors

Rex Karsten received his PhD from the University of Nebraska&endash;Lincoln. He is an assistant professor of management information systems at the University of Northern Iowa, where he teaches introductory information systems and programming courses. His current research focuses on end-user training and information- systems pedagogy. Roberta M. Roth received her PhD from the University of Iowa. She is an associate professor of management information systems at the University of Northern Iowa, where she teaches systems analysis and design and MIS policy. Her current research includes the delivery and assessment of distance learning. (Address: Dr. Rex Karsten, College of Business Administration, Department of Management, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0125).

A PDF file of the full article is available. Contact: jrte@iste.org. Please specifiy Volume and Issue number and article name.