Examining Students Performance and Attitudes Toward the Use of Information Technology

This paper reports findings of a study that examined student performance and attitudes towards the use of information technology in virtual and conventional settings. Students were preservice undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in an educational media and technology course. All were fulltime, on-campus students, but one group completed the course entirely online. A Web-based survey was administered. The two groups completed pre and posttests on student performance, and a Likert-type attitude assessment. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to determine if there were significant differences in attitude and performances. The findings revealed that there were no significant performance and attitude differences between the two groups. Within the last decade, there was widespread application of the Internet as an instructional tool and medium of communication because of its potential to facilitate and improve learning (Wang & Bagaka’s 2002). The Internet is used to supplement traditional classroom practices while it has become an important instructional medium in long distance learning. However, research findings are mixed about the effectiveness o