The development of a model of computer anxiety among at-risk students

The rapid influx of technology in the homes and schools will have diverse impacts on students. Computer use will be met with both support and resistance. Recent research has been aimed at investigating factors which impede or further the use of such technologies in the classroom. Computer anxiety is one factor found to inhibit use of the computer by many students. This study investigated the relationship between gender, keyboard familiarity, prior computer experience, academic interest, and perceived usefulness of computers in connection to reported levels of computer anxiety.; The critical appraisal of studies using at-risk students assist educators in determining the true potential of technology among at-risk students. The research study participants were 86 students from the Upward Bound Program held during the summer at Wayne State University in Detroit.; A path analysis designed to test a model was employed. The research produced a model suggesting several relationships among the variables studied. Eleven research questions were addressed. The findings indicate no statistically significant results in the correlation of gender with perceived usefulness of computers nor computer anxiety. This supports research by Loyd and Gressard (1984) who found no gender differences in computer anxiety.; Of the prior computer experience measures, students who have used the computer for a greater length of time perceived computers as useful. Students who reported more computer experience with graphics and programming also reported greater computer anxieties. Scores on computer anxiety were generally lower, indicating that the students on the whole did not experience extensive computer anxiety, even when faced with these type of experiences.; In relation to keyboard familiarity, respondents who believe computers were important, had a greater perception of the usefulness of computers. Students who expressed a feeling of frustration when typing, and those who made a greater number of typing errors all expressed anxieties toward computers.; No academic interest correlations were found to be statistically significant when related to computer usefulness and computer anxiety. Finally, a positive correlation was found between perceived usefulness of computers and computer anxiety. Respondents who perceived the computer as useful were also computer anxious. Students in this study may have a positive feeling toward the use of the computer, however, their overall lack of experience may account for their anxiety.