Investigating the Effect of Distance Education system on the Computer Literacy of MA Students in Tehran University

  • Mehran Farajollahi Department of Educational Sciences, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Iran
  • Mohsen Keshavarz Department of Educational Sciences, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Irann
  • Bahman Zandi Department of Linguistics, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Iran
  • Mohammad Reza Sarmadi Department of Educational Sciences, Payam-e-Noor University, Tehran, Irann

Abstract

In Distance Education system, students must be equipped with seven skills of computer (ICDL) hence they must have high computer knowledge. This paper aims at investigating the effect of DE system on the computer literacy of MA students in Tehran University. The design of this study is quasi-experimental. Pretest and posttest were used in both control and experimental groups to undertake the study. The population of this study was students, those who participate in traditional and online education at university of Tehran. In order to gather required data, researcher-made questionnaires consisting of 59 items were used. The content validity index for the whole items of the questionnaire about computer literacy was 0.55. The reliability index for the whole test was 0.61. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16. In order to analyze data the following features were measured: frequency, percentage, standard deviation, T, covariance analysis, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The results of data analysis for computer literacy variable reveal that P value for Concepts of IT =0.010, File Management=0.001, Internet=0.03, Databases (Access) =0.03, and Presentation (power point) =0.001(online & traditional education), all are fewer than α=0.05. Therefore, the null hypothesis is rejected, but not the directional hypothesis. It can be concluded that, regarding computer skills, Concepts of IT, File Management, Internet, Databases (Access), and Presentation (power point), there is a significant difference between control and experimental groups. Regarding word processor and spreadsheets (Excel), P value is 0.11 and 0.75 respectively which are higher than 0.05, so the null hypothesis is rejected, but not the directional one and difference between these groups is not significant. To sum up, it can be stated that DE has a more significant impact on Concepts of IT, Internet and Presentation regarding computer literacy than traditional education. It can be stated that traditional education has a more significant impact on Concepts of File Management and Databases (Access) regarding computer literacy than DE.
Published
2015-12-01
How to Cite
Farajollahi, M., Keshavarz, M., Zandi, B., & Sarmadi, M. R. (2015). Investigating the Effect of Distance Education system on the Computer Literacy of MA Students in Tehran University. Australian Educational Computing, 30(2). Retrieved from http://journal.acce.edu.au/index.php/AEC/article/view/58
Issue
Vol 30 No 2 (2015): Australian Educational Computing
Section
Research Articles (Refereed/Reviewed)

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