Abstract:
Students enrolled in AGED 1011 - Agriculture Freshmen Orientation (N=84) during the fall 1999 semester were surveyed to determine their computer experiences, self-efficacy and knowledge. A majority of respondents reported owning a computer and having completed one or more computer courses. More than half of the students had received formal instruction in word processing, file management and spreadsheet use, while less than half had studied presentation graphics, Internet use, e-mail, databases or programming. Students had an average level of computer self-efficacy, with a majority rating their skills in word processing, e-mail, Internet use, and file management 'as average or above. Conversely, a majority rated their skills in spreadsheets, presentation graphics, databases, and programming as below average. Scores on a computer knowledge exam were low, with the mean percentage of correct responses being 39.7%. Scores were highest on the Internet and general knowledge sections of the exam and lowest on the spreadsheet, database and programming sections. A substantial positive relationship (r=.65) existed between computer self-efficacy and computer knowledge. Based on these results, implementation of a required computer applications course with a test-out option was recommended.
Keywords:
computer experiences, self efficacy, college of agriculture, entering
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