A Comparison of Student Perceptions of their Computer Skills to their Actual Abilities

Abstract

Executive SummaryIn this technology intensive society, most students are required to be proficient in computer skills to compete in today's global job market. These computer skills usually consist of basic to advanced knowledge in word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet applications. In many U.S. states, students are required to demonstrate computer proficiency early in their educational experience by means of passing an assessment test. This research was conducted in North Carolina where all students must pass a computer/technology skills assessment test prior to completing twelfth grade. This study explored U.S. college students' perceived mastery of their computer skills, evaluated their actual scores on a computer skills assessment, and compared the results to realign and enhance an introductory business computer applications course. T wo instruments were developed to accomplish the objectives for this research: a survey to capture students' perceptions of their computer proficiency and a computer skills assessment to measure their actual performance. The assessment tool evaluated their knowledge of three computer application skills -word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet -with three levels of proficiency -basic, moderate, and advanced. The survey and assessment instruments were administered to over 200 business students in a medium sized, public university with a required introductory computer applications course. The findings of this study indicate some differences in the students' perception of their word processing skills and actual performance, no difference in perception and performance for their presentation skills, and a significant difference in perception and performance for their spreadsheet skills. As a result of this research, the curriculum for the introductory course was redesigned to concentrate primarily on the substantial skill deficiency in spreadsheet skills while still allowing the students to demonstrate their level of proficiency in word processing and presentation skills through a mandatory online assessment test beginning in fall semester 2008. Any student who does not perform well on the word processing and presentation assessment will be required to obtain additional training to enhance these skills.These findings have important implications for two reasons: 1) schools with a similar profile can possibly replicate the realignment and enhancement of the business computer application course and 2) any school interested in comparing their students' perception of their computer skill proficiency and actual performance on three different levels can apply a modified version of this study.

Computer Literacy of Healthcare Students From Medical University - Plovdiv

“…Elder & Koehn (2009) argue that nursing students rate themselves higher on their skills than their actual performance of computer skills. Similar results are published by Grant et al (2009). Discrepancies between assessed and perceived knowledge and skills may lead to stress and withdrawal of technologies in real settings.…”

“…Literature findings do not support this result. According to Grant et al (2009) undergraduate university students in North Carolina had a higher perception of their proficiency level than their performance on the assessment for word-processing and spreadsheets. Elder & Koehn (2009) also support the fact that students overrate themselves.…”

A Study of Students Perceived Computer Knowledge

“…Grant, Malloy, & Murphy compared students' CSE ratings with their actual performance on an author-developed computer skills test. Their study demonstrated a gap between what students perceived as their computing skills and their actual assessed skills (Grant, Malloy, & Murphy, 2009). Kilcoyne et al looked at student confidence in the mastery of technology to determine if a student's general confidence in their mastery is representative of their knowledge.…”

Measuring Information Skills among Malaysian Youth Students: An Instrument Development

“…However, these studies focused on students' perceived performance of information skills. Following literature from multiple education settings that have stated that students' perceived performance does not necessarily correlate with their measured performance (e.g., Grant, Malloy, & Murphy, 2009;Sarrico, 2010), there is a need to also examine students' measured information skills performance. Lately a few studies have developed instruments to assess measured-performance of information skills among university students in Malaysia (e.g., Abdullah, Ahmad Kassim, Mohd Saad, Tarmuchi, & Aripin, 2006;Edzan, 2007).…”