The effectiveness of information technology training on students' academic motivation and social skills

Objective: Nowadays, information and communication technology plays an important role in human life. This network has many advantages and can be effective in improving the level of academic motivation and social skills. The aim of the present study is to determine the effectiveness of information technology education on the academic motivation and social skills of fifth-grade female students in Anar city.
Methods: This study was conducted as a semi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group and is applied research in terms of its purpose. The study's statistical population comprises all 217 fifth grade female students in Anar city. A sample of 28 students was selected through convenience sampling and randomly divided into two experimental groups of 14 and one control group of 14. Data collection utilized Harter's Academic Motivation Questionnaire (1980), Gresham and Elliott's Social Skills Questionnaire (1999), and a researcher-developed Information Technology Educational Package, including Scratch and Scratch Junior programs. Covariance analysis was employed to examine the data and test the hypotheses.
Results: Results indicated that information technology education significantly impacts students' academic motivation and social skills.
Conclusion: Therefore, teachers are encouraged to incorporate various information technology education methods alongside their traditional teaching to enhance these areas.