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Technical Report - 991115 |
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Student Confidence in Using Educational Technology - 1999 |
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Ned W. Schultz, Ph.D. and Suzanne Merideth Psychology Department |
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ABSTRACT |
| During Fall Quarter 1999, 108 undergraduates from a cross-section
of majors completed a survey on using various types of educational technology. The
questionnaire contained 33 items related to technology-associated tasks that might
be relevant to coursework. Subjects were asked to rate their levels of confidence
(0-5) about accomplishing the tasks. Data on gender and year in school were also
collected. The results are reported separately for 1999, with some comparisons to
the 1998 results. Overall, the 1999 survey results suggest that substantial improvements in student confidence levels have taken place. The gender gap has narrowed significantly, and most students feel very comfortable with the activities in the survey. It appears that campus training initiatives, faculty use of new technology in classes and easy, free access to campus computing resources have helped to build student confidence. For 1999, confidence levels were very high, averaging just over 4 on the 0-5 point scale. On none of the items did the average confidence rating fall below 2. Using the World Wide Web, creating basic documents and using email were predominant activities that received above average ratings. Among the activities receiving lower than average confidence ratings were several important library research skills and a number of more advanced data creation and management skills. Only four activities (on-line interlibrary loan, digital photography, audio-conferencing and HTML editing) showed significant "no confidence" ratings. Although male students rated their confidence levels higher, on only 9 items were significant differences found. These included some web activities and data creation skills. The following table shows comparisons between 1998 and 1999. In every comparison the 1999 results show higher scores. Both males and females have highest confidence in research skills and communication activities, with data management, creation and presentation slightly lower. In 1998 male ratings were significantly higher for overall confidence ("all items") and for data management. In 1999 the only significant gender differences are for some web activities, creation of digital materials and overall data management, creation and presentation.  Although the 1999 survey results seem very positive overall, several important skill areas may require attention by faculty and staff who are working to build student competencies. Confidence in using some library electronic research tools is one such area. Creating digital materials and editing HTML documents would be a second. |