Some factors in the development of self-efficacy beliefs for computer use among teacher education students

Abstract

The self-efficacy for computer use of teacher education students was measured at the beginning of their course and again following a semester in which some students had completed computer courses. At both pretest and posttest the amount of time spent using computers was the factor that contributed most to the variance in self-efficacy for computer use. The influences of other factors such as personal ownership of computers and completion of computing courses appeared to be exerted through effects on levels of use. Strategies are suggested through which teacher educators might seek to increase self-efficacy of students by encouraging computer use.