An Exploratory Study of Minority Students' Technology Usage and Perceptions of Technology: Nontraditional Adult Students in Technology-Based Environments

• In Event: 60.064 - Evidence-Based Technology Integration Scenarios

Abstract

This study investigated African-American non-traditional adult students’ use of technology and their perceptions toward technologies in technology-based environments. Technology perceptions included computer self-efficacy (CSE), Internet self-efficacy (ISE), user attitude, and computer anxiety. The effects of student characteristics on technology perceptions and the impact of CSE and ISE on user attitude and computer anxiety were examined. Participants were 414 adult students from a university in the US. Data analysis utilized quantitative approach. Results indicated that minority students utilized basic hardware and software tools more frequently than the advanced ones. Age, hours spent online, and online course experiences influenced students’ technology perceptions. ISE was affected by student characteristics. CSE was found to be a good predictor for user attitude and computer anxiety.

Author

• Yu-Chun Kuo, Rowan University