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

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 x2 revealed that the highest educational attainment had a significant relationship with online library resources (x2= 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

JEL Classification: I20