This review examines the definition, measurement, and correlates of computer anxiety as provided in available research. The concept of computer anxiety reflects an anxiety state, rather than an anxiety trait, thus rendering it susceptible to change over time. Computer anxiety is similar in nature to math anxiety and test anxiety. Two approaches to…

Although the number of computers in the school system is increasing, many schools are not using computers to their capacity. One reason for this may be computer anxiety on the part of the teacher. A review of the computer anxiety literature reveals little information on the subject, and findings from previous studies suggest that basic controlled…

This paper describes a framework for making sense of the relationship between emotions, cognition, mathematical activity, and mathematical beliefs. Subjects were participants in a special mathematics anxiety program. Beliefs are classified as instrumental and relational approaches to a situation. Emotion is also distinguished as a two-faceted…

An experience in attempting to transform research into practice is described, with questions raised about the relationship between research and practice. The author begins by describing the two research traditions which exerted the most force on the design of the program. How the philosophy and findings of those traditions were interpreted and…

This study addresses three questions: (1) whether sex is related to ability and interest in computers; (2) whether a relationship exists between the presence of a computer in the home and a child's ability and interest in computing; and (3) the combination of factors that account for students' perceptions of success in developing programming…

Results of a study made to determine the effect of male-female class ratio on female student class participation are reported. In spring 1980, an all-female section of an introductory math course was offered in addition to the other five mixed-sex sections at a midwestern university. It was found that women selecting the all-female section had…

Learning is a complex operation that involves a several factors. In studying the learning process, both the characteristics of the learner and the conditions of instruction must be considered. This study examined some of the factors that may influence the learning of mathematics. In particular, it sought to identify relationships among mathematics…

The effects of math anxiety and sex on computer anxiety, computer confidence, and computer liking were investigated with 161 junior high and high school language arts students; 119 community college mathematics students; and 76 college students residing in dormitories. The Computer Attitude Scale (Loyd and Gressard, 1984) was used to measure…

The contributions of acceptance of misconceptions about mathematics, mathematical self-concept, and arithmetic skills to mathematics anxiety and to statistics course performance were studied in 92 adult students aged 18 to 57 with a median age of 27, (16 males and 76 females). Results showed that acceptance of misconceptions and mathematical…

This study compares and contrasts the following variables on the types of attributions (ability, effort, environment, and task) students make for their performance in algebra: attributions by gender and gender identification; attributions by level of math anxiety and self esteem; attributions by experience in competitive activities; and…

Following a discussion of various methods of evaluating the effectiveness of developmental programs, this paper presents a research design for the evaluation of a developmental math program. First, the paper examines the objectives and benefits of conducting formative and summative program evaluations. The paper then identifies the single group…

The purpose of this study was to address issues related to the kind and degree of relationship between mathematical achievement and attitude toward mathematics. Data were gathered on a number of attitudes from 145 college students in a basic mathematics course. Attitudinal data were gathered by means of a six-page questionnaire, essay questions,…

Two major topic areas related to the affective half of prescriptions in mathematics are explored. The first area focuses on stationary or general information about motivation which provides an important backdrop as a prelude to formulating useful individual affective prescriptions. Several observations about stationary motivational variables…

This study was designed to develop and validate an instrument to measure general attitudes toward research design and statistics for use with students in an undergraduate nursing research course. Personal feelings of anxiety or lack of competence in dealing with course material were also assessed. Evidence of construct validity was provided by the…

A large body of research literature has indicated that parents exert a strong influence on their children's development of achievement attitudes. It is suggested that children's beliefs about achievement appear to be related to parents' expectations about their childrens' achievement but not to parent's attitudes regarding their own abilities and…