ERIC Number: EJ764301
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2007-Jun
Pages: 18
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0729-4360
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Validation of the Diagnostic Tool for Assessing "Tertiary Students' Readiness for Online Learning"
Pillay, Hitendra; Irving, Kym; Tones, Megan
Higher Education Research and Development, v26 n2 p217-234 Jun 2007
Increasing numbers of educational institutions are adopting an online approach to teaching and learning; however, little regard has been given to the prerequisite personal and technical qualities required for academic achievement and satisfaction within this environment. In recognition of this, researchers have been exploring the design, development and testing of diagnostic tools to assess student readiness for online learning. This study builds on previous work by the authors to further validate their diagnostic tool for assessing "Tertiary students' readiness for online learning" (TSROL) which has four subscales: "Technical skills", "Computer self-efficacy", "Learner preferences" and "Attitudes towards computers". Factor and reliability analyses revealed that Technical skills and Computer self-efficacy possessed good reliability and validity, and "Attitudes towards computers" fair reliability and validity. However, "Learner preferences" required revision as it possessed poor reliability and validity. Analysing the demographic data revealed that older students had lower Technical Skills and computer self-efficacy than younger students. The TSROL can be improved by adopting a more multidimensional interpretation of the Learning preferences and Attitudes towards computers subscales. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Diagnostic Tests, Learning Readiness, Online Courses, Test Reliability, Test Validity, Self Efficacy, Computer Attitudes, Cognitive Style, Computer Literacy, College Students, Factor Analysis, Higher Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A