Relationships between Intern Characteristics,
Computer Attitudes, and Use of Online Instruction
in a Dietetic Training Program

Ruth E. Litchfield, Mary Jane Oakland, and Jean A. Anderson

Abstract
Changes in health care and educational technology instigated the use of interactive online instruction in this preprofessional training program. Cooperative learning strategies, which require the interns to interact with each other, were incorporated into the online instruction to initiate learner/instructor and learner/learner interaction. Seventy-five dietetic interns from three universities were randomly assigned to groups with and without online instruction. Computer attitudes and use of the technology were examined. Demographic variables and previous computer experience did not influence the use of the online instruction. However, those who reported a preference of working with others used the online instruction more (p = .05). The amount of time reported using the online instruction had a positive effect on overall computer attitude and comfort using computers. Significant improvement in self-efficacy with the World Wide Web occurred irrespective of the treatment.