Learning Characteristics of Primary School Computer Enthusiasts: A retrospective study

Abstract

Many gifted pre-adolescent pupils, particularly boys, become computer enthusiasts, even fanatics, especially about computer internet games. This study used retrospective data to examine correlations between levels of computer usage and various measures of learning characteristics (style, achievement and cognitive ability) of the pupils (N=102) of two intact school grades (Years 5 and 6) of an Australian government primary school. Computer usage was determined by a take-home diary completed for a period of 6 weeks. Computer usage was partitioned into Word Processing, Internet, Information retrieval, Games and Other. Learning styles were assessed by the Owens and Barnes Learning Preference Scale which included three factors of Competitive, Cooperative and Individual learning style preference. Learning achievement was assessed by PAT scores in Vocabulary, Comprehension and Mathematics (ACER, 1970). Cognitive abilities were assessed by the NFER-NELSON tests of Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (1993). Pupils who were enthusiastic high level computer users were typically Grade 5 boys who used home computers to play games. Across the sample, high-level computer users (combining all categories of usage) had significantly higher measures of Mathematics Achievement, Verbal Reasoning, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Competitive learning style. High internet users had a higher measure of Verbal Reasoning, while high-level word processors had higher measures of Vocabulary Achievement, and Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning.