The Factors That Affect Undergraduates’ Attitudes Towards Computer-Based English Language Exams: A Case Study of An-Najah National University, Palestine
Keywords:
Factors, Attitudes, Computer-based Exams, Undergraduates, Summative Assessment, English language Exams, Computer Skills, GenderAbstract
This paper investigates the impact of undergraduates’ gender, major, academic year level, computer skills, and level of English on their attitude towards computer-based English language exams at An-Najah National University. A simple random sample of 312 females and 201 males were chosen from all of the 49 classes of an English language core requirement course (English Language Course I) to fill in a paper-based group-administrated questionnaire consisting of 27 items. Five females and four males were randomly selected to participate in a focus group discussion. The data collected from the questionnaire was statistically analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and a probability of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data collected from the discussion was analysed thematically. While the statistical analyses revealed statistically significant differences in attitude towards computer-based English language exams due to gender, computer skills, major, and academic year level, no statistically significant differences were found due to their level of English. Female students, first-year students, those whose computer skills are low, and those who lack experience with computers need to receive more training in computer-based exams to reduce their anxiety and make the exams fairer to all groups.
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