Attitudes toward courseware as a function of high school students' creativity level

Changes in using the computer as an instructional aid (CAI) in schools is dependent on whether research successfully directs the teacher in choosing the relevant and most suitable courseware. Educational software may be considered along a spectrum. At one end is receptive software which provides information to be received by the student; examples of this sort of software are drills and one-way tutorials. At the other end of the spectrum is software which students and teachers operate, using different methods and applications in the different subject areas according to their own interest, inclination and ability. Previous research shows that different variables influence the effectiveness of CAI. It is assumed that the presence of certain factors will improve the effectiveness of open courseware, while the presence of other factors will improve the effectiveness of traditional courseware. It appears that the students' `creativity level' is an important factor which should be taken into consideration when using either open or traditional courseware. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to isolate and analyze the influence of the student's `creativity level' on his or her preference for open or traditional courseware.