The Role of the Advanced Computer Skills Course in Modifying Attitudes towards Information and Communication Technologies for Postgraduate Students at the Faculty of Education, Taiz University

Abstract

The study aimed at identifying the attitudes of postgraduate students towards information and communication technologies, and the role of the advanced computer skills course in modifying their attitudes and revealing the obstacles of their teaching. The study adopted the descriptive and quasi-experimental approaches, and its population consisted of 39 postgraduate students at the Faculty of Education in Taiz University. A scale of attitudes as well as a questionnaire were designed in order to reveal the differences between the two measurements. The major findings of the study revealed the absence of statistically significant differences attributed to the variables of gender and specialization, and the presence of a statistically significant effect between the mean scores of the pre and post measurements, in favor of the post measurement. The study also revealed several obstacles in studying the course like the absence of a teaching room equipped with essential facilities for practical training, low-speed Internet connection, the insufficient time to apply the course related skills, as well as other obstacles in using information and communication technologies, most notably in e-learning. The study concluded with a number of recommendations and suggestions.