The effects of in-service workshops on computer anxiety in elementary teachers

Abstract

The computer education literature documents computer anxiety as a problem common to classroom teachers without prior computer training. This study was an investigation of the effectiveness of workshops designed to reduce such anxiety.

The treatment comprised of instruction based upon principles derived from the literature was administered to 80 teachers in a Treatment group and 57 teachers in a Quasi-control group. Pre-test measurements included a Computer Background Information survey, Part II of the Minnesota Computer Literacy and Awareness Assessment and the Trait section of the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Post-test measures were the State section of the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, Part I of the Minnesota Computer Literacy and Awareness Assessment and a LOGO quiz.

Statistical treatment of the data included T-test comparisons between Treatment and Quasi-control groups on tests of computer Knowledge; Chi-square test of independence between groups on descriptive characteristics and a one-way analysis of variance testing the relationship between test anxiety and achievement.

Findings confirm an inverse relationship between computer knowledge and computer anxiety. The workshop treatment derived from the literature on in-service training and computer anxiety was an effective vehicle for increasing teacher knowledge and reducing computer anxiety. Study results show that teachers exposed to the treatment workshops reported an increase in positive attitudes toward computer use. Comparisons of pre- and post-workshop State anxiety measurements yielded evidence of significant computer anxiety reduction.