Title: The effects of students' backgrounds and attitudes on computer skills in Malaysia

Authors: Mohd Daud Norzaidi, Siong Choy Chong, Aris Azizah, Mohamed Intan Salwani, Kamarudin Rafidah, Zainuddin Ruhana

Addresses: Faculty of Business Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Campus, 85009 Segamat, Malaysia. ' Putra International College, 1838, Mukim Bukit Katil, Ayer Keroh, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Information Technology and Quantitative Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Campus, 85009 Segamat, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Campus, 85006 Segamat, Malaysia. ' Academy of Language Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Negeri Sembilan Campus, 72000 Kuala Pilah, Malaysia. ' Faculty of Information Technology and Quantitative Science, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Johor Campus, 85009 Segamat, Malaysia

Abstract: This study investigates whether students with different backgrounds and attitudes towards computers influence their levels of computer skills. All Form Five (GCE |O| Level equivalent) students from three different types of schools in the rural district of Segamat, Malaysia were sampled. The t-test and ANOVA results show that there were significantly different influences of the types of schools they enrolled in, their computer ownership and computer club memberships on their computer skills. The findings also revealed significant correlation between the four computer attitude subscales and the students| computer skills. Suggestions are provided on how the students| level of computer skills could be improved.

Keywords: secondary education; country-specific development; authoring tools; authoring methods; management in education; Malaysia; computer skills; computer ownership; computer clubs.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2007.015198

International Journal of Management in Education, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.371 - 389

Published online: 21 Sep 2007 *

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