Abstract:
This study was particularly concentrating on TOEFL type (CBT vs. P&P) and computer anxiety as independent variables, and test takers' performance as the dependent variable. The two TOEFL types (Paper-and-Pencil and Computer-Based) were given to 40 participants using counter balancing. The interval between the two tests was two weeks. The reason behind choosing this interval and counter balancing was to prevent the practice effect. Three days after the test, the computer anxiety questionnaire was also taken by the same participants. The results showed a high correlation between the scores on the two versions of the test (P&P vs. CBT), also there was no significant difference between the performances of t, and finally, there was no significant interaction between test type (P & high-, low-, and mid-anxious candidates on the two versions of the tesP vs. CBT) and computer anxiety level (high-anxious, low-anxious, and mid-anxious).
Machine summary:
Key words: advanced EFL learners; PP (Paper-and-Pencil test); CBT (Computer-Based Test); computer anxiety; computer anxiety scale Introduction Against the backdrop of developing computer use, the idea that computers could influence “the shape of minds to come” has considerable currency (Littleton Hoyles, 2002) and much is being written about the potential of the computer in shaping new educational environments (Crook, 1994, 1996; Scimshaw, 1993; Littleton Light, 1999; Chapelle, 2003).
Some investigations on college students and adults showed that computer familiarity is related to acceptance and other attitudes about computers (Powers O‟Neill, 1993; Wilder, Mackie Cooper, 1985), anxiety about computers (Kernan Howard, 1990; Powers O‟Neill, 1993), and attitudes about computerized tests (Burke, Normand Raju, 1987).
2) Is there any relationship between the computer anxiety level (high-anxious, low-anxious, and mid-anxious) and the performance of the participants on the computer- based version of the TOEFL test?
Computer Anxiety Scale Many researchers suggested groups of items for measuring computer anxiety (Charlton Birkett, 1995; Heinssen, Glass Knight, 1987; Marcoulides, 1989; Rosen, Sears Weil, 1987; Rosen Weil, 1995; Simonson, Maurer, Montag-Toradi Whitaker, 1987).
Many investigations have been carried out on establishing computer anxiety scales (Cambre Cook, 1985; Lalomia Sidowsky, 1993; Dukes, Discenza Couger, 1989; Harrison Rainer, 1992; Meier Lambert, 1991; Woodrow, 1991).
It should be mentioned that computer anxiety has been linked with the lack of computer experience (Cohen Waugh, 1989; Morrow, Prell Elroy, 1986), gender (Lankford, Bell Elias, 1994; Pope-Davis Vispoel, 1993), age (Dyck Smither, 1994; Rosen, Sears Weil, 1987), personnel traits and other anxieties (Kernan Howard, 1990; Marcoulides, 1989).