An Instrument for Assessing the Learning Environment of a Computer Laboratory

Computers have been used in higher education for over thirty years both as a subject of study and as a tool to assist in the learning process within other disciplines. In that time, computer laboratory classes have played a major role in the teaching of computing subjects. Despite the perceived importance of laboratory classes little research has been done on computer laboratory environments and their effect upon learning. This article describes two instruments. One was designed to assess students' perceptions of various aspects of their computer laboratory environments and the other to measure attitudes toward computers and computing courses. These instruments were used to determine associations between laboratory environment and student attitudes.