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Extroverted Students Have Difficulties Learning in Courses That Utilize Computers
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by Jeanette G. Elskamp and John P. Broida - University of Southern Maine
Categories: Educational | Personality
Extroverts may prefer face-to-face classroom interactions and so may not do well in classes that have a significant computer component. Alternatively, because of immediate feedback and the opportunity to review materials repeatedly, there may be no difference between introverts and extroverts in classroom performance when computers are used for quizzing, discussion, and e-mail. Participants from introductory psychology courses completed an optional survey assessing their knowledge of psychology, computer expertise, reactions to the class, and extroversion/introversion. Extroversion was negatively correlated with grades in the class (p < .01). This result was not due to differences in comfort with computers (p > .05). Thus the use of computers did not reduce differences in academic achievement between introverts and extroverts.