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Computer
Skills of Cooperative Agricultural Research Program Employees
Safdar Muhammad,
Robert
E. Harrison,
Tiffany N. Payne, and Stephen H. Kolison, Jr.
Cooperative
Agricultural Research Program
Seminar Series
Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN
August 28, 2002
The
Cooperative Agricultural Research Program at Tennessee State University
recognized a need for increased computer literacy among its employees.
The main purpose of this study is to identify the specific needs
and current level of computer skills and knowledge that will help to
design educational and training workshops that are more effective and
efficient.
Data
for this study were collected by face-to-face and/or telephone
interviews of the faculty and staff members of the Cooperative
Agricultural Research Program and the Department of Agricultural
Sciences, Tennessee State University.
The information in the survey included demographic
characteristics of respondents, type of computer-related technology in
use, current knowledge and training needs about computers, ownership and
access to a computer/Internet, and the respondents’ willingness to
participate in workshops and courses offered by the Cooperative
Agricultural Research Program.
Data was analyzed by using appropriate statistical methods to
assess the training needs of employees in using computers.
Several
questions were included in the survey to determine the current level of
respondents’ knowledge in using various software.
Results indicated that the level of knowledge was significantly
different in using different types of computer software.
Most responses were in the none or some knowledge categories.
Also, few respondents classified themselves as very good or
expert in the use of presentation and word processing software.
There was a small percentage of Cooperative Agricultural Research
Program employees who had expertise in using any computer software.
Respondents
were also asked to identify their needs and levels of courses in
training.
Courses were divided into basic, intermediate, and advanced
levels.
The majority of respondents preferred to participate in basic
training courses, followed by intermediate level courses.
Few respondents expressed a need to participate in advanced level
training courses.
Current
knowledge and training needs were also analyzed by age and education
levels of the respondents.
It was found that age and education levels had a significant
effect on knowledge and needs for computer training.
Most
respondents expressed an interest in participating in computer skills
development training offered by the Cooperative Agricultural Research
Program.
The most preferred type of training session was the workshop
format, followed by short courses, full courses, and self-learning.
The
results of this project will help Computer Skills Development in
Agriculture project leaders to design training sessions and materials
according to specific needs and current levels of knowledge.
These training needs and levels of knowledge were significantly
different among various groups based on age, education level, and other
demographic characteristics.
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