STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SELECTED UPPER-DIVISION AGRICULTURE COURSES: AN EXAMINATION OF COMPUTER EXPERIENCES, SELF-EFFICACY AND KNOWLEDGE

Authors

  • Donald M. Johnson University of Arkansas
  • James A. Ferguson University of Arkansas
  • Melissa L. Lester University of Arkansas

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2000.04062

Abstract

Students (E = 169) enrolled in eight upper-division agriculture courses at a land-grant university were surveyed during the Fall 1999 semester to determine their computer experiences, computer self-efficacy, and computer knowledge. The students reported a variety of computer experiences, with 79% having completed a computer course and 66% owning a computer. Over one-half of the students had received formal instruction in word processing (76%), file management (71%), spreadsheets (71%), electronic mail (64%), presentation graphics (62%), Internet use (62%), and databases (51%). Computer programming was the only topic that a majority (66%) of respondents had not studied The students had a slightly above average level of computer self-efficacy. Students felt they had the highest level of skills in word processing, electronic mail, and Internet use, with more than 50% rating their shills in these areas as above average. The overall score on the 35 item multiple choice test of computer knowledge was fairly low, with a mean of 17.6 (50.3% correct). Nearly three-fourths (72.7%) of the students scored 60% or less on the test. There was only a low association ( r = .29) between computer self-efficacy and computer knowledge. Recommendations for enhancing student computer experiences are offered.

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Published

2000-12-31

How to Cite

Johnson, D. M., Ferguson, J. A., & Lester, M. L. (2000). STUDENTS ENROLLED IN SELECTED UPPER-DIVISION AGRICULTURE COURSES: AN EXAMINATION OF COMPUTER EXPERIENCES, SELF-EFFICACY AND KNOWLEDGE. Journal of Agricultural Education, 41(4), 62–72. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2000.04062

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