Effect of Computer Efficacy Training in the Management of Computer Anxiety among National Open University of Nigeria Freshmen
Keywords:
Computer efficacy training, Computer anxiety, National Open University of NigeriaAbstract
Computer anxiety has been identified as a prominent drawback to many freshmen in the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions in Nigeria. It is a known fact that inadequate computer skills coupled with computer anxiety are linked to attrition rate and poor academic performance among distance learners who by exigency should utilise computer to bridge the transactional and interactional distance that exist between them, their tutors and other relevant personnel. This study, therefore, determined the effectiveness of Computer Efficacy Training (CET) in the management of computer anxiety among National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) freshmen in Southwestern Nigeria. The moderating effects of age and gender were examined.
Technology Acceptance Model provided the framework for the study while the pretest-postest control group quasi-experimental design with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial matrix was adopted. Two study centres of NOUN (Akure and Lagos) were randomly selected from the nine study centres of the university in Southwestern Nigeria. Sixty computer anxious freshmen who met the screening criteria were randomised into CET (30) and Control (30) groups. The interventions lasted eight weeks. The Computer Anxiety Scale Revised (α=0.89) with the norm of 60.0 was utilised for screening. Computer Anxiety Rating Scale (α =0.86) was used to measure the criterion variable. These were complemented by CET training guides. Analysis of covariance and Multiple Classification Analysis test were utilised for data analysis at a 0.05 level of significance.
There was a significant effect of treatment on the management of computer anxiety of NOUN freshmen. Participants in the CET had the least computer anxiety compared to those in the control groups. There was a significant effect of age on computer anxiety. The older NOUN freshmen significantly benefited more than younger NOUN freshmen. Computer efficacy training was effective in managing computer anxiety of National Open University freshmen in Southwestern Nigeria. Educational, counselling and cyber psychologists should adopt the treatment in the reduction of computer anxiety.
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