The Influence of Computer Confidence on Retention in the Community College

Abstract

The perceived confidence of 543 traditional entering community college students toward using 5 computer application types and their confidence using a total number of these applications to carry out college work was compared to their subsequent persistence in college at the conclusion of their first semester. Additional preenrollment factors of gender, ethnicity, goals for attending college, high school grade point average (GPA), and Nelson Denny Reading Test scores were entered into the statistical analyses. Results from the logistic regression indicate that ethnicity, goal for attending college, confidence using spreadsheets, and the interaction of high school GPA and total number of computer skills the student is confident using for college work are significant indicators of persistence in college.

Keywords:

• community college
• computer literacy
• dropout prevention
• self-efficacy