The impact of an Internet-based forum on pre-service teachers' educational experience.

摘要

This study examined the impact of an online social gathering forum for students enrolled in a "traditional" teacher preparation program. This research explored the relationship between computer self-efficacy, social support, computer experience, and other demographics with the use of an online forum. Participants were 174 students enrolled in a college located in Tampa Bay, Florida. Two of the six research hypotheses were supported; use of the forum was positively associated with student feelings of connectedness and participant computer self-efficacy (measured using Cassidy & Eachus' 2002 Computer User Self-Efficacy scale). One hypothesis was partially supported with the finding of a significant relationship between student home campus and self-esteem, a subscale from the measure of perceived social support (Interpersonal Support Evaluation List). The findings and implications from this research and potential directions for future work are discussed.