The purpose of this study was to determine a student‟s computer knowledge upon course entry and if there was a difference in college students‟ improvement scores as measured by the difference in pretest and posttest scores of new or novice users, moderate users, and expert users at the end of a college-level introductory computing class. This study also determined whether there were differences in improvement scores by gender or age group. The results of this study were used to determine whether there was a difference in improvement scores among the 3 campus locations participating in this study. Four hundred sixty-nine students participated in this study at a community college located in Northeast Tennessee. A survey, pretest, and posttest were administered to students in a collegelevel introductory computing class. The survey consisted of demographic data that included gender, age category, location, Internet access, educational experience, and the self-rated user category, while the pretest and posttest explored the student‟s knowledge of computer terminology, hardware, the current operating system, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. The data analysis revealed significant differences in pretest scores between educational experience categories. In each instance, the pretest mean for first semester freshmen students was lower than second semester freshmen and sophomores. The study also reported significant differences between the self-rated user categories and pretest scores as well as differences in improvement scores (posttest scores minus pretest scores), which were higher for new or novice users. Of the 3 participating campus locations, students at Location 1 earned higher improvement scores than did students at Location 2. The results also indicated that there was a significant difference between the types of course delivery and course improvement scores (posttest scores minus pretest scores). The improvement scores for on ground delivery was 5 points higher than the hybrid course delivery. Finally, the gender and age categories as compared to the self-rated user categories revealed no significant differences in the study.

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.

This purpose of this study is to find out the teachers&rsquo / perceived computer competencies and their expectations toward &ldquo / Bilgiye EriSim Portali&rdquo / prepared by Ministry of National Education. Study focused on 30 teachers and 5 administrators from six different schools in Ankara in 2005-2006 fall semester. A none-experimental descriptive survey research design was employed by administrating a 5-point Likert type Computer Competency Scale and an open-ended interview schedule. The statistical analysis of the data obtained through the Likert type scale questionnaire indicated that the teachers feel themselves partially competent about computers. The highest mean score for scale was observed for in Word Processing, and the lowest mean score was observed in Presentation and Desktop Publishing Software. It was also demonstrated that there was no significant difference between having a computer course and buying notebook given by MONE and computer competency score. It was found that although there was no significant difference in teachers&rsquo / perceived computer competencies in terms of gender, male teachers had higher mean scores than female teachers. It was revealed that the less experienced teachers&rsquo / mean scores are higher than the more experienced teachers&rsquo / mean scores. Even though there obtained differences in possession of computer at home and at school, it was not determined as a significant factor. The analysis of the qualitative data assisted the identification of expectations of teachers toward &ldquo / Bilgiye EriSim Portali&rdquo / . Under the light of the study results recommendations are suggested for both implication and further studies.

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors affecting a preservice teacher&rsquo / s perception of technology in relation to subject areas. Study focused on six hundred and ninety six senior preservice teachers (405 female, 288 male, and 3 not stated) from eight different subject areas of Burdur Faculty of Education, S&uuml / leyman Demirel University in Turkey in 2003-2004 Spring semester. A none-experimental survey research design was employed by administrating a Technology Perception Scale (TPS) and a Computer Competency Scale (CCS). Study included four independent variables (gender, subject area, existence of a home computer and perceived computer competency level) and one dependent variable (perception). The study showed that preservice teachers perceive technology in education favorably, but not very favorably. The mean scores of subscales showed the positive effects of technology in education valued more than the effects of teacher training program by preservice teachers. The highest mean score for TPS was observed in classroom teaching preservice teachers and the lowest score was observed in science education. It was also demonstrated that preservice teachers were graduated with a less than moderate level of competency. Classroom teaching preservice teachers possessed the highest mean score, and Turkish education preservice teachers held the lowest mean score. It was also found that males had higher mean scores than females for all scales. Preservice teachers possessing a home computer with Internet access had highest mean scores for all scales. Univariate ANOVA results showed that gender and the perceived computer competency level are the major factors affecting a preservice teacher&rsquo / s perception. It was also revealed that possession of a home computer correlated with perceived computer competency level. Even though there obtained differences among subject areas, subject area was not determined as a significant factor. Under the light of the study results recommendations are suggested for both implication and further studies.

The use of hypermedia for educational purposes gained a great deal of importance for educators. There are many opportunities provided to learners by these environments such as independence from time and place, availability and accessability of the course material, non-linear interaction that provides the learner to regulate his/ her own learning and so on. Although many advantages of hypermedia environment are suggested in the literature, there are also many studies concerning with learning in hypermedia environment concluding that many learners face with problems on these settings. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the affects of three important factors in terms of learning with hypermedia revealed by the literature / cognitive styles, computer competency levels, and domain knowledge levels of the students. To the purpose of the study, participants from a web-enhanced course were selected considering these factors, and interviews and observations were conducted to reveal their learning strategies. Results indicated some differences among the different cognitive style groups of students in terms of their preferred learning strategies. Computer competency levels of the students were also found to be quite important in terms of their patterns to use the hypermedia program. Students&rsquo / prior knowledge levels were also important in this study, since different needs and expectations were revealed related to the domain knowledge levels of the participants. Furthermore, a deep understanding about the behaviors, experiences, feelings, and expectations of the students in an instructional hypermedia environment related to suggested different characteristics were gained at the end of the study.