A multivariate comparison of computer anxiety levels between candidate and tenured school principals

摘要

School administrators should be able to follow technological advancements and promote the role of leadership with regard to technology in their institutions. However, affective factors such as computer anxiety might hinder administrators’ roles in this process. Therefore, this study investigated multivariate differences between candidate and tenured administrators on computer anxiety levels, after accounting for differences in age. The sample of the study included 216 candidates and 368 tenured school principals. The Computer Anxiety Scale and a set of demographic questions were used to collect the data. One-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was performed on three dependent variables that are the three dimensions of computer anxiety (i.e., Affective Anxiety, Damaging Anxiety, and Learning Anxiety). Independent variable had two levels (i.e., candidate versus tenured administrators) and age was used as a covariate. Results showed multivariate significant differences. Candidate administrators reported higher levels of affective and learning anxiety compared to their tenured colleagues. We conclude that the sample of the study had accessibility and familiarity with computers; yet, showed different experiences. Finally, refinement is still needed in the area of computer anxiety and its relationships with other variables among educational administrators.