The impact of educational level, gender, age, and computer experience on computer attitudes of adults enrolled in ABE and GED programs in the state of Arkansas

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes held by adults enrolled in adult basic education (ABE) and General Educational Development (GED) programs across the state of Arkansas in relation to learning about and working with computers. More specifically an assessment was sought relative to: total computer attitude; anxiety or fear of computers; confidence in ability to use or learn about computers; liking or enjoying working with computers; and perceived usefulness of computers in present or future work. This study also investigated the impact of: educational level; gender; age; and computer experience.; Twenty-four adult education centers across the state of Arkansas served as survey sites for the administration of the Computer Attitude Scale (Loyd & Gressard, 1984, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA). This forty item Likert-type instrument was administered orally on an individual basis to 230 ABE, and 228 GED adults enrolled in ABE and GED programs. To gain further insight into this particular population's attitudes about computers and the utilization of computers in ABE/GED programs, forty-nine individual interviews were conducted at three adult education centers.; As a total population, ABE/GED adults in this study had a positive attitude in relation to learning about and working with computers. They exhibited little fear of the computer; they liked or enjoyed working with computers; and they perceived computers to be useful in their present or future work. While the confidence in their ability to use or learn about computers was not as strong as the other areas, it was positive.; Educational level was a significant factor in the total computer attitude, the amount of computer confidence and computer usefulness. Educational level was not a significant factor in relation to computer anxiety or computer liking. Gender was found not to be a significant factor in relation to computer attitudes. Age was a significant factor in all areas with younger adults (16 to 40 years) having a more positive attitude than older adults (41 to 65+ years). Computer experience was a significant factor. Adults of this population, with computer experience, indicated significantly more positive attitudes in all areas than did adults with no computer experience.; The interview data supported the survey data. The interview data also indicated that ABE/GED adults felt it was important that they know something about computers; that computer training be a part of the ABE/GED programs; and that computer skills were highly related to job and career possibilities.