College students\u27 perceptions of computer-mediated instruction/learning and its impact on their academic programs

Higher education has experienced notable changes driven by accelerated advances in computer technology, the same force that has reshaped our society and many aspects of life. Many believe that promising results can be seen and that students are better served in a computer-mediated instruction/learning environment due to the computer’s seemingly infinite abilities to multiply and expand. However, not everyone shares the same optimism due to a number of complicated issues facing the introduction of computers into the academic area. Despite school managers\u27, teachers’, and administrators’ views of computer-mediated instruction/learning, learners’ perceptions are just as important when studying the instructional use of the computer technology. This study provides insight into how participants’ demographic profiles contribute to their perceptions of computer-mediated learning, how students perceived the impact of computer-mediated learning on their achievement, and how having had to use computers impacted their attitude toward (future) learning using computer technology. The findings of the study include: (a) a Pearson Product-Moment Correlation analysis revealed a statistically significant, low positive association between students’ perceived effectiveness in the area of computer-mediated learning and their major grade point average (MGPA). It also revealed a statistically significant, moderate positive association between having to use computers for class(es) in students’ major program areas and their attitude toward learning using computer technology, (b) a T-test revealed a statistically significant difference between male and female students, for the statement: “I think effective Computer-Mediated Learning ensures that students are engaged and motivated in learning (the given subject).” Female students’ mean score was higher than that of male students and (c) an ANOVA test found statistical significant differences among groups of students based on their cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and their perceived effectiveness of computer-mediated learning. A Tukey HSD test indicated the CGPA group 3.50 – 4.00 obtained a higher mean score than the other two groups, 2.00 – 2.49 and 2.50 – 2.99