Computer Self-efficacy and Its Relationship with Web Portal Usage: Evidence from the University of the East

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SHORT PAPER

Computer Self-efficacy and Its Relationship with Web Portal Usage: Evidence from the University of the East

Rex P. Bringula University of the East (corresponding author)

Julius Jan M. Sarmiento University of the East

Roselle S. Basa University of the East

Date received: March 6, 2017 Date received in revised form: April 30, 2017 Date accepted: May 2, 2017

Recommended citation:

Bringula, R. P., Sarmiento, J. J. M., & Basa, R. S. (2017). Computer self-efficacy and its Relationship with web portal usage: Evidence from the University of the East. International Journal of Computing Sciences Research, 1(1), 24-29. doi:10.25147/ijcsr.2017.001.1.02

Abstract

Purpose – The University of the East Web Portal is an academic, web-based system that provides educational electronic materials and e-learning services. To fully optimize its usage, it is imperative to determine the factors that relate to its usage. Thus, this study, to determine the computer self-efficacy of the faculty members of the University of the East and its relationship with their web portal usage, was conceived.

Method – Using a validated questionnaire, the profile of the respondents, their computer self-efficacy, and web portal usage were gathered.

Results – Data showed that the respondents were relatively young (M = 40 years old), majority had master’s degree (f = 85, 72%), most had been using the web portal for four semesters (f = 60, 51%), and the large part were intermediate web portal users (f = 69, 59%). They were highly skilled in using the computer (M = 4.29) and skilled in using the Internet (M = 4.28). E-learning services (M = 3.29) and online library resources (M = 3.12) were only used occasionally. Pearson correlation revealed that age was positively correlated with online library resources (r = 0.267, p < 0.05) and a negative relationship existed between perceived skill level in using the portal and online library resources usage (r = -0.206, p < 0.05). A 2x2 2 revealed that the highest educational attainment had a significant relationship with online library resources (2 = 5.489, df = 1, p < 0.05). Basic computer (r = 0.196, p < 0.05) and Internet skills (r = 0.303, p < 0.05) were significantly and positively related with e-learning services usage but not with online library resources usage.

Research Implication – Other individual factors such as attitudes towards the web portal and anxiety towards using the web portal can be investigated.

Keywords – computer skills, Internet skills, portal usage, self-efficacy, web portal

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INTRODUCTION

Educational web portals serve as gateways to information and services for learning or teaching (Manouselis et al., 2009). Universities around the world recognize the power of web portals when they develop their own web portals. The University of the East has four web portals, namely, administrative, alumni, student, and faculty. Each portal has its own functions and capabilities. The faculty portal is supporting e-learning services (e.g., posting of announcements, uploading of files, downloading of classlists, etc.) and providing online library resources (e.g., e- books, e-journals, cases, magazines, etc.). The perceived importance that the portal can provide prompted the researchers to study its usability (e.g., Bringula & Basa, 2011).

However, despite the rich literature on computer self-efficacy, no studies were conducted to study its role with the web faculty portal usage. This study wants to address this gap. It sought answers to the following questions.

1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of age, highest educational attainment, length of use of the web portal, and perceived skill level in using the portal? 2) What is the level of computer self-efficacy of the respondents in terms of basic computer and Internet skills? 3) What is the web portal usage of the respondents with regard to e- learning services and online library resources? 4) Is there a significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and their web portal usage? and 5) Is there a significant relationship between computer self-efficacy and web portal usage?

It is hypothesized that a) there is no significant relationship between the profile of the respondents and their web portal usage, and b) there is no significant relationship between computer self-efficacy and web portal usage.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Self-efficacy

According to the self-efficacy theory, a person could perform a task because that person believes he or she is capable of achieving a certain outcome (Maddux, 2007). A person’s capacity to respond appropriately to a situation depends on his or her self-efficacy (Maddux, 2007). Thus, self-efficacy beliefs

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