The relationship between computer anxiety and degree of infusion of computer technology among the secondary agriculture teachers in Kansas

The purpose of this study was to: (a) determine the extent of usage of microcomputers by secondary agriculture teachers in Kansas at the present time; (b) determine the barriers that prevent secondary agriculture teachers in Kansas from utilizing microcomputers; (c) determine the computer anxiety level exhibited by secondary agriculture teachers in Kansas; and (d) develop guidelines for decision makers in Kansas to enhance microcomputers skills of teachers in the secondary agriculture programs in Kansas.;The majority of the participants indicated the largest percent of the support came from local sources (principal, 72%; other faculty 56%; superintendent 54%; and school board 43%, respectively). Over 90% of the participants used computers in their agriculture education department. Sixty-two percent claimed "a computer is available in my office for my use" while 39% and 35%, respectively, reported they have a computer at home either for personal and/or school use. Fifty-seven percent of the participants reported they use a computer in their office between 1 to 6 hours per week. The majority of the participants (83%) perceived their computer knowledge as novice to intermediate or fairly knowledgeable. The main factor preventing the use of the microcomputer in the agriculture classroom was the need of additional software. Needs of additional information and/or experience to expand classroom usage of microcomputers was ranked second, while need for purchasing new computer was ranked third. Over 75% of the participants indicated they were self-instructed in using microcomputers. In general, 76% of the participants believed their students used microcomputers in their class 1 to 5 hours per week.;Individual COMPAS item means range from 3.87 (anxious) to 1.06 (very relaxed). A majority of the participants felt they were generally relaxed to the computer anxiety items. Analysis of data revealed a moderate correlation (;This was a descriptive ex-post facto study. A mailed questionnaire called "Teacher Computer Competency" was used to collect the data. The target population for this study consisted all of the secondary agriculture teachers in Kansas teaching in the public school during the 1993-1994 school year. The list of teachers was obtained from the Kansas Agricultural Education Instructors, 1993-1994. Of the 166 secondary agriculture teachers in Kansas, usable responses of 147 (90%) were returned.