Toward developing a predictive model of computer use by community/junior college faculty

Abstract

The purpose of this study was as follows: (a) use linear multiple regression to propose a tentative predictive model of computer use among community/junior college faculty; (b) determine differences among instructional divisions at Tyler Junior College with respect to computer attitude and with respect to computer use; (c) determine whether there are gender differences with respect to computer attitude and with respect to computer use. Data were collected for this study using a survey instrument in which each participant recorded computer use for a seven-day period, completed a computer attitude scale, and provided information about his or her personal experiences with computers. A total of 130 faculty members at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas comprised the sample group. A tentative linear regression model was constructed for the dependent factor of computer use. Computer use was defined as the total of computer use for the study period in four categories: instruction, personal productivity, games and entertainment, and research. This model was found to be statistically significant at the alpha level of .05, and accounts for 24.5 percent of the observed variations in computer use. One factor in this model, self-perceived level of prior computer experience with personal productivity, was found to be a statistically significant predictor. Age, gender, computer attitude, and instructional assignment area were not found to be significant predictive factors in the multiple linear regression model. When grouped according to instructional assignment, faculty who taught business and technology courses were found to have a significantly higher mean computer attitude score than other instructional groups, except for math and science faculty, who had the second-highest score. Business and technology instructors also showed a significantly higher group mean for total computer use than other faculty, except those faculty in health sciences, who had the second-highest mean time. No significant difference in computer use during the study period was found between male and female faculty members. Similarly, no significant difference was found in computer attitude between male and female faculty members.