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ERIC Number: ED514209
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 126
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1097-1788-4
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
An Investigation of Perceived Anxiety toward New Software Technologies among Teachers in a Mississippi Rural City School District
Miller, Matilda
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Mississippi State University
Technological standards have existed for years encouraging the use of computer technology as a teaching tool. By increasing technology use in the classroom, educators are able to address teaching and learning opportunities for all students. The need for these opportunities is essential in the rural areas of the U. S. The purpose of this study was to determine if teachers in a rural city school district in Mississippi experience computer anxiety in using new and emerging software technologies for instructional purpose; examine the level of computer anxiety teachers experience in using computers; and explore if relationships exist in the level of computer anxiety experienced by teachers based on the following demographic variables: gender, age, years of teaching, subject area taught, and educational attainment. The population consisted of 110 teachers with a minimum of bachelor's degree and certified to teach in their respective areas of specialization. Findings from descriptive statistics revealed that the majority of the participants were female teachers with 43% of participants possessing either a Master's or Ph.D. degree. A large portion of these teachers had one year or more experience with learning about or working with computers with access to a computer at home. The means revealed that when teachers have a moderate degree of confidence, liking, and usefulness when using new and emerging software technology there is a low degree of anxiety. Pearson Correlations were used to examine the relationships between the subscales (anxiety, confidence, liking, and usefulness) and demographic variables (gender, age, years of teaching, subject area taught, and educational attainment). Results confirmed that there were significant relationships between age and anxiety, gender and confidence, gender and liking, and years of teaching and anxiety. However, there were no significant relationships between the other variables. Findings of this study have the potential to contribute to the development of a profile that could be used to identify teachers who need exposure to technological training and professional development to help reduce computer anxiety and minimize resistance to computer usage. Additionally, findings of this study can serve as a growing baseline of literature that relates to computer anxiety among teachers. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Mississippi
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A