The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the impact of domain and methodological tutorials on the attitude and performance of end-users who are neither well-versed in the domain area nor well-versed with an expert system which is designed to assist them in solving software selection tasks. With respect to these tasks and the mechanism for accomplishing them, the end-users can be categorized as "non-technical users." The design of this experiment was a 2 x 2 full factorial laboratory experiment employing eighty novice users as subjects. Each of the experimental subjects was randomly assigned to one of the four treatment groups corresponding to receipt or lack of receipt of tutorials concerning the problem domain and methodology employed by an expert system. The results of this research indicate that there is a significant interaction between receiving the application and expert system tutorial videos; better performance in terms of correct categorization of problems was observed in subjects who saw either both or neither video whereas worse performance was observed in subjects who saw only one video. In general, the video treatments were unrelated to a variety of attitude measures applied to the subjects. However, it was found that prior attitudes towards the use of computers were significantly related to the majority of the (posttest) attitude measures. Further, the general pattern was for attitudes towards computers to improve as a result of undergoing the experimental process with the viewing of the expert system video to be significant in the level of improvement.

This study investigates the correlation between students' learning styles, computer competency and student satisfaction in Web-based distance learning. Three hundred and one graduate students participated in the current study during the Summer and Fall semesters of 2002 at the University of North Texas. Participants took the courses 100% online and came to the campus only once for software training. Computer competency and student satisfaction were measured using the Computer Skill and Use Assessment and the Student Satisfaction Survey questionnaires. Kolb's Learning Style Inventory measured students' learning styles. The study concludes that there is a significant difference among the different learning styles with respect to student satisfaction level when the subjects differ with regard to computer competency. For accommodating amd diverging styles, a higher level of computer competency results in a higher level of student satisfaction. But for converging and assimilating styles, a higher level of computer competency suggests a lower level of student satisfaction. A significant correlation was found between computer competency and student satisfaction level within Web-based courses for accommodating styles and no significant results were found in the other learning styles.

Following Ajzen/Fishbein's 1980 Theory of Reasoned Action, influences of hospitality students' external variables (age, gender, university classification, and work experience) on computer attitudes, and relationships between computer attitudes and intentions to learn and use computers were tested. A sample of 412 hospitality students completed two measurements: Loyd/Gressard's 1984 Computer Attitude Scale, and Behavioral Intentions to Learn and Use Computers. Males and females had positive computer attitudes. Graduates had more positive computer attitudes. No interaction effect existed between gender and classification. No relationships existed between age and work experience on computer attitudes. Computer attitudes positively correlated with intentions to learn and use computers. Results supported the Theory of Reasoned Action. External variables partially influence attitudes and attitudes influence intentions.

The thesis looks into the health literacy of pupils at Primary school. The main aim of this work is to compare the pupils's health literacy with the computer literacy at chosen Primary school. To find out the level of knowledge, awareness, attitudes and perceptions of pupils in connection with computer and health literacy. Determine the causes of less interest in physical activities and the link between physical activity and health of pupils. The theoretical part deals with the definition of the basic concepts such as health literacy, computer literacy, healthy living, physical activity, etc… with the help of the specialized literature. This part describes the relationship between the pupil's physical activity, healthy lifestyle and health literacy. The practical part compares the level of student's knowledge in the field of computer and health literacy. It finds out the pupil's knowledge which are linked to beneficial effect of physical activities on human health, too. In this part questionnaires which are intended for children from the selected primary school and deal with primarily the level of knowledge of medical and computer literacy will be elaborated. Questions are also pointed at physical activities of students in extracurricular activities, their frequency and the motivation for them. In...

In order to complete degrees faster, many nontraditional students enroll in Accelerated Learning (AL) programs where they often use communication software or devices, also called information communication technology (ICT). ICT literacy is the ability to use ICT appropriately to solve information problems. Gaps in ICT literacy can frustrate nontraditional students and distract them from learning course content. Due to AL programs` fast pace, there is little opportunity for students and educators to discover and fill ICT literacy gaps. Millions of nontraditional students enroll in programs designed for traditional students. Identifying ICT literacy gaps for students can help educators address specific academic needs. Identifying and bridging ICT literacy gaps is essential in preparing all students to succeed in the information age. While the mission of the National Higher Education ICT Initiative includes addressing the ICT literacy gaps of both traditional and nontraditional students, little effort or research exists to date, which examines the ICT literacy gap of nontraditional students. This lack of research makes it more difficult for institutions to recognize the issue of nontraditional students` ICT literacy gaps. This lack of research also makes it more difficult for institutions to address effectively these ICT literacy gaps. The goal of this research was to compare the ICT literacy gaps of traditionally aged students in traditional programs to the ICT literacy gaps of nontraditional students in AL programs and to help determine if nontraditional students in AL programs have unique ICT literacy gaps that warrant identification and remediation. This study expands the body of knowledge concerning ICT literacy gaps of nontraditional students in AL programs.

Thesis (M. Tech.) - Information and Communication Technology, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences - Vaal University of Technology / Research has found that learners find it difficult to solve programming problems in a logical way, therefore the failure rate in Programming I is high. The Entry-level Certificate in Information Technology was introduced as an intervention to address this problem. Four aspects were focused on in the Entry-level Certificate in Information Technology, namely English comprehension, academic competency, numerical skills and the problem-solving skills of learners. Basic computer literacy was the common theme used throughout the Information Technology Boot Camp (ITBC) to address the above-mentioned aspects, in order to broaden access to the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). The research indicates that English comprehension is a very important component of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) modules, and that it is important for learners to have an English proficiency level of grade 12 before enroUing for a diploma in I CT. The ICT and numerical skills modules also narrowed the gap between secondary and tertiary education, by equipping the learners with prior knoWJledge that is crucial for being successful in the ICT diploma. To conclude access was broadened to the VUT and the intervention of the ITBC did impact positively on the cognitive functioning of learners.

M.Ed. / Die navorsingsdoel van die studie is om vas te stel hoe Intell® Teach to the Future die betrokkenheid van opvoeders met Informasie en Kommunikasie Tegnologië (IKT) beïnvloed. Opvoeders in Ga-Rankuwa het deelgeneem in die navorsing. ʼn Aantal privaatondernemings, soos Intel, het programme ontwerp ten doel om opvoeders met die integrering van IKT te ondersteun, maar onvoldoende gedokumenteerde bewyse van die invloed van privaat initiatiewe op die betrokkenheid van opvoeders met IKT bestaan. Skole in Ga-Rankuwa gebruik die IKT integreringsopleidingsprogramme van verskeie organisasies, dus is dit belangrik om die invloed van hierdie programme op die betrokkenheid van opvoeders met rekenaars te evalueer. Onderswyersopleiding in IKT integrering word beskou as die belangrikste en kritiese suksesfaktor om die tekort aan gekwalifiseerde opvoeders in IKT aan te spreek (Dawes, 1999:256). Volgens Orange en Hobbs (2000:86) om skole en opvoeders te betrek by IKT integrering, die beskikbaarheid van harde-en sagteware word as noodsaaklik beskou alhoewel die blote teenwoordiigheid van rekenaars in skole is onvoldoende om die kwaliteit van die onderwys te verander. Verdere pogings om opvoeders te betrek met IKT integrering in onderwys en leer so wel as ondersteuning is benodig. Verkeie lande gebruik verskillende strategiee van onderswyersopleiding in hierdie verband. Die navorsingmetodes is ‘n kombinasie van etnografie en ‘n gevallestudie. Waarneming, fokusgroeponderhoude en analise van dokumente is gebruik om data te versamel. Data analise het gelei tot vyf kategorieë. Die bevindinge toon aan dat Intel®, tot ‘n grote mate, die betrokkenheid van opvoeders wel beїnvloed het.

The aim of the present study was to assess employees' attitudes toward working with computers. A review of previous studies conducted within the area of attitudes toward computers and attitudes toward working with computers revealed that the present study needed to condifer user-task-system characteristics and that an adequate attitude scale which examined specifically attitudes towards working with computers needed to be developed. In order to conduct the present study, a checklist was developed to assess user-task-system characteristics and an attitude toward working with computers scale was developed and validated.[Abbreviated Abstract. Open document to view full version] / GR 2016

A tecnologia da informação e comunicação (TIC) tem se tornado cada vez mais comum no cotidiano da sociedade atual. Diversas são as facilidades disponibilizadas para os indivíduos habilitados no uso da TIC. Entretanto, estar habilitado em TIC não corresponde apenas a aspectos de conforto; a falta dessa habilitação restringe oportunidades importantes. Destaca-se a relevância deste conhecimento no ambiente acadêmico, no qual os alunos são constantemente chamados à execução de atividades apoiadas por computadores e aplicativos. Para ingressar no mercado de trabalho, nas mais diversas áreas de atuação, tem-se exigido o prévio preparo relacionado aos conhecimentos e habilidades sobre a TIC. Felizmente, os dispositivos de TIC têm se tornado cada vez mais acessíveis à população em geral, e os aplicativos também têm oferecido usabilidade cada vez mais intuitiva. Ainda assim, constata-se que a autoaprendizagem sobre TIC é restrita a alguns aspectos específicos, e ainda considerada insuficiente para um preparo minimamente adequado. Como agravante, as ações de incorporação da TIC no ensino público brasileiro ainda são malsucedidas. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo principal a definição de critérios para avaliação da Alfabetização Computacional (AC), correspondente à identificação do conjunto relevante de conhecimentos e habilidades de TIC, aplicada a alunos do ensino médio. Para atender a esse objetivo, os principais aspectos da AC foram extraídos da literatura por meio de uma revisão sistemática, e submetidos à análise de especialistas pela aplicação da Técnica Delphi. Os aspectos de TIC identificados como mais relevantes pelos especialistas para AC são: ética, ferramentas de busca, privacidade, segurança e vírus. Em complemento, este estudo também visa descrever como as instituições de ensino médio e as empresas avaliam a relevância dos conhecimentos e habilidades de AC. Os dados coletados possibilitaram uma análise comparativa de pontos de vista distintos dos docentes, pesquisadores e empresas sobre o tema. Concluiu-se que a conectividade corresponde ao elemento central da AC na atualidade, com base no conjunto de aspectos classificados como mais relevantes pela metodologia de pesquisa aplicada. / Information and communication technology (ICT) has become increasingly common in the daily life of today\'s society. Many conveniences are made available to all individuals by using ICT. However, knowledge of ICT does not refer only to aspects of comfort; the lack of this competence restricts important opportunities. Noteworthy is the great importance of this knowledge in the academic environment, in which students are constantly required to perform activities supported by computers and applications. In order to enter the job market, in several areas, prior preparation related to knowledge and skills on ICT is required. Fortunately, ICT devices have become increasingly accessible to the population in general, and applications have also been offering increasingly intuitive usability. Still, it appears that ICT self-learning is restricted to some specific aspects, and considered insufficient for a minimally adequate preparation. To make matters worse, the learning of ICT in Brazilian public schools is still insufficient. This dissertation aims at defining some criteria for assessing Computer Literacy (CL), corresponding to an identification of the relevant body of knowledge regarding ICT skills, to be applied to high school students. In order to meet this goal, the main aspects of CL were extracted from literature by a systematic review, and submitted to expert analysis by Delphi Technique. The aspects of ICT identified as the most important ones by experts at CL are: ethics, search engines, privacy, security and viruses. In addition, this study also aims at describing how high school institutions and companies evaluate the relevance of CL knowledge and skills. The collected data has allowed a comparative analysis of different points of view of teachers, researchers and companies on the subject. We have concluded that connectivity represents the central element of CL nowadays, based on the set of issues classified as the most relevant by the research methodology.

Thesis (Ed.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / Computer skill scores of 166 high school sophomores were derived from a survey instrument and correlated to their GP A and state standardized test results. The survey instrument gathered demographic data, including home access to a computer and Internet, and used Likert questions to gauge the respondent's skill with various computer tasks. The computer skill categories measured were general operative skills, word processing skills, spreadsheet skills, and Internet communication skills. Results of the correlation testing revealed numerous significant and positive correlations between computer skill survey scores and both GPA and the state standardized tests. Further analysis revealed a significant difference in academic performance between survey respondents with access to multiple home computers versus single. Respondents with home high speed Internet access exhibited significantly higher computer skill scores than those with dial-up Internet access. Results are discussed and suggestions for further research are explored. / 2031-01-02