Kelly 2005

Computer Skills and Student Attitudes toward Online Courses: A Narrative Review of the Literature

Asil Ali Özdoğru

Online education as the major form of distance education is getting widespread use in higher education institutions across the world. Student attitudes towards online courses play important roles in the future of online education. One of the various factors influencing student attitudes is computer literacy skills. This review analyzed and discussed the studies about student attitudes toward online courses in relation to computer literacy. A general bi-directional relation between attitudes and computer literacy has been identified. A higher level of computer knowledge was associated with more positive attitudes. A positive attitude toward online courses was also found to be important in yielding higher computer literacy. In combination with other instructional and institutional factors computer literacy is important in the formation of positive attitudes. Literature needs a conceptual clarification among various similar terms and methodologically rigorous studies with more sound conclusions.

Keywords: Online courses, student attitudes, computer literacy, literature review

Citation: Özdoğru, A. A. (2005). Computer skills and student attitudes toward online courses: A narrative review of the literature. In M. Bose, & D. A. Chapin (Eds.), Proceedings of the nineteenth annual Edward F. Kelly evaluation conference (pp. 105–121). Albany, NY: Evaluation Consortium.