This empirical study of undergraduates compared the psychometric properties, i.e., reliability and validity, of four computer attitude measures and their subscales. Results are analyzed that indicate all measures tested were essentially equal in terms of reliability and validity, and attempts to empirically derive improved scales were…

Explores the nature of the relationships between gender, categories of computer use, and attitudes toward computers in a computer-enriched university environment where students had network access and laptop computers over a four-year period. Results indicate women were less positive about computers than men and their use levels were less frequent.…

Describes an electronic distance collaboration ("collaborative effort done over distance, using computer networks such as the Internet") via electronic mail between students at three universities. Topics include how success in electronic distance collaboration should be defined, what factors are related to success, and the importance of social…

Describes the results of a survey of faculty members at Western Michigan University which was conducted to explore the relationship between faculty use of university libraries and faculty use of computers. Implications for libraries are discussed, including computer databases, faculty assistance, collaboration with computing staff, and marketing…

Describes a study that investigated the effects of course structure variables, including course length and course frequency, on the computer anxiety, confidence, and attitudes of pre- and inservice teachers. Results show students in courses that met over a longer period of time had significantly greater changes in computer anxiety, confidence, and…

With expectations for technology use and its potential costs continuing to rise, the Consortium on Chicago School Research sought to provide baseline information on educational technology--the use of computers and the Internet for instructional purposes--in Chicago public schools. Three questions were addressed in a year-long study that included…

This study examined the relationship between the learning style profile of students enrolled in the service module courses offered by the Computer Science department at Calvin College (Michigan) and their general attitudes toward computers. Data were gathered using the VARK (Visual, Aural, Read/write, and Kinesthetic) learning style inventory and…

Reports on a study that compared the behavior of two types of users (search specialists and subject matter specialists with no search experience) with two types of online information retrieval interfaces, including DIALOG. Highlights include data recording via transaction logs, structured interviews, and focus group discussions; and hypothesis…

To gain the perspective of nine students currently being prepared to become teachers, this study used semi-structured interviews to examine their beliefs about computer-based educational technology. Areas for study included their views on the role of technology in the K-12 classroom, as well as their beliefs about their own skills in using…

Three studies were conducted in New Zealand with preschool children and high school students which examined computer attitudes and the effect of particular gender views on exploratory behavior. Results suggest that high school affirmative action programs are working, more female role models are needed, and efforts need to include young children.…

This paper examines the effectiveness of increasing the confidence of preservice teachers in using technology for personal and instructional purposes as a result of participating in an introductory educational technology course offered at the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education. Course participants attended sections designed for…

Describes a study of first-year students at a university in Scotland that was conducted to determine their use of computers at home and in school, their knowledge about information technology, and reasons for not studying computing. Results are compared with two earlier studies to examine gender-related differences over time. (Contains 12…

Describes a study of Belgian secondary school teachers that investigated the relationship between computer use in the classroom and influencing factors on an individual level. Considers age, gender, teaching a technology-related subject, computer attitudes, and innovativeness; and uses stepwise logistic regression to analyze the strongest…

Describes a study that examined technophobia in elementary and secondary public school teachers as an explanation for low levels of computer utilization. Highlights include empirical studies of technophobia; technophobia interventions; demographic differences; computer availability and use; computer anxiety; computer attitudes; and predictive…

This document focuses on gender differences in information and computer literacy (ICL) and on the role of education in producing such differences. The effects of the curriculum materials used and of teaching behavior in ICL lessons are considered in relation to changes in girls' and boys' attitudes, knowledge, and future plans while following an…