Understanding the role of anxiety and self-efficacy within a computing-intensive learning environment

Public and private organizations continue to invest heavily in electronic communication technologies for individual, group, organizational, and inter-organizational communication and learning activities. However, this investment approach appears to neglect individual characteristics with respect to communication and computer attitudes. In particular, the effects of individual characteristics of computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy upon computer technology usage are often overlooked in most adoption and deployment activities of information systems functions. To help us gain a better understanding of individual factors that can influence usage and outcomes of computer technologies for communication and learning purposes, this research-in-progress examines the levels of computer anxiety and computer self-efficacy and their relationships to individual performance in a computing-intensive course. The initial investigation results and implications for research and practice will be presented at the conference.