Abstract
The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a measure of attitudes toward computers for junior high school students. Based on the analysis of the construct structure and components of attitudes towards computers, the Attitudes Towards Computers Scale-Junior High School Version (ATCS-J) was developed in this study and used to measure 1733 seventh graders of Tao Yuan County who were selected by random and cluster sampling methods. Data analysis shows that the internal consistency reliability coefficients of the ATCS-J and the four subscales, S1 to S4, are 0.93, 0.70, 0.83, 0.83, and 0.81. The content validity, concurrent validity and construct validity of ATCS-J are satisfactory. The results of this study indicated that the ATCS-J is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing attitudes toward computers. According to the analysis of the test results of ATCS-J, the attitudes towards computers of male students are significantly more positive than those of female students (p < 0.01). There is a low positive but significant correlation between availability of a home computer and students’ attitudes towards computers (p < 0.01). Significantly different attitudes towards computers exist between the students who have availability to a home computer, take computer classes and drills, have computer assisted instruction in schools and those who do not (p < 0.01). Students who are supported by both parents to learn about computers have significantly more positive attitudes towards computers than those who are supported by only one parent or who have no support from parents (p < 0.01).
| Keywords: | attitudes toward computers; attitudes toward computers scales; junior high school |
|---|
[Chinese Version | Index | Chinese Journal of Science Education | Other Journals | Subscription form | Enquiry ]
Mail any comments and suggestions to
hkier-journal@cuhk.edu.hk .