Education Students' Perceptions of Computers: A Cross-Cultural Study

Abstract

This study investigates education students' perceptions of computers and the factors affecting their perceptions among education students in the United States and Taiwan. Sample subjects were 360 students from six colleges of education in the two places. The results reveal that there were significant differences. Education students in the United States demonstrated greater computer liking, comfort, and value than education students in Taiwan. Education students in Taiwan, however, indicated higher concerns about gender- and ability-related differences in students' computer use. Education students in the United States also rated greater effectiveness in improving student learning of computer resources in elementary, middle, and high schools than did their counterparts in Taiwan. Furthermore, gender, age, and length of computer use had various effects on different dimensions of computer perceptions of the two student groups. Plausible explanations and educational implications of these differences are discussed.