Students' attitudes toward computer use in Slovakia

Abstract

ICT has a very short history in Slovakia. A majority of Slovak schools accessed computers and internet only after 2000. Different financial support and schools' participation in various projects resulted in non-random distribution of computers across Slovakian elementary schools. We examined whether 1) attitudes toward computers could be affected by the accessibility of computers at schools and 2) how the use of computers between school and home environment differ. Attitudes toward ICT were positive and gender differences were weak. Although we found school had an effect on the behavioural dimension of attitudes, it was not caused by the accessibility of computers per se. However, large numbers of students per computer (up to N = 68) greatly reduced student's use of computers at schools. Lack of internet connection at home caused greater supplementation of internet-related activities in schools relative to home. Gender and age-related differences in ICT participation were greatly influenced when comparing the home and school environment. Copyright © 2008 by EURASIA.