Domains and determinants of university students’ self-perceived computer competence

Abstract

The first aim of this study was to develop an instrument of self-perceived computer competence and to assess differences among university students. For this purpose, two instruments were developed: ‘quantity of computer applications’ (16 items) and ‘quality of application use’ (30 items). Questionnaires were administered to two samples of first-year university students in psychology, education and andragogics. The results indicated a high correlation between the two computer competence scales. The second aim was to identify possible determinants of self-perceived computer competence and to test the impact at an individual level. The results from a path model demonstrated that self-perceived computer competence (quality of application use) was affected by four factors: computer confidence, computer experience expressed in time, intensity of computer use and home access to a computer. The four variables accounted for a significant proportion of the variation (54%) in the self-perceived computer competence variable.