The effect of Computer Anxiety on Attitude towards E-Learning: The Mediating Role of Attitude and Self-Efficacy of Computer and Internet

Although e-learning opportunities are very widespread and the use of e-learning is increasingly growing, little research has been done on students’ attitude towards e-learning. However, the attitude towards e-learning plays a key role in the success of this type of learning. The present research aims to study the effects of computer anxiety on the attitude towards e-learning with a focus on the mediating role of factors like computer and the Internet self-efficacy, as well as attitude towards computer and the Internet, using model testing. The research applied the correlational method. Using cluster random sampling, 485 subjects were selected from among the students of public high schools in Noor-Abad, Lorestan. They were asked to complete the questionnaires designed based on the conceptual model. Computer anxiety had negative and almost equal effects on the attitude towards computer and the attitude towards the Internet. Internet self-efficacy had positive and significant effect on the attitude towards e-learning. In general, the modified model had a good fit with the collected data. It showed the important role of factors such as computer anxiety, computer self-efficacy, the attitude towards computer, Internet self-efficacy, and the attitude towards the Internet in the attitude towards e-learning.