Effect of Information and Communication Technology on Self-Efficacy and Academic Achievement of Students

Aims Considering the evolution of schools and the growth of smart schools, the aim of the present study was to compare the self-efficacy and academic performance of students in conventional and smart schools. Materials & Methods This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted in Kerman, Iran, in 2015. 300 students of 8th grade studying in Kerman (145 smart school student and 155 conventional school students) were selected by multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected by a standardized academic self-efficacy questionnaire of Jinks-Morgan and analyzed using independent t-test, linear regression, Pearson correlation test and SPSS 20 software. Findings Academic achievement in conventional and smart schools was statistically different. So that students of smart schools had better academic achievement than ordinary schools (p=0.0001). While the self-efficacy of the two groups did not differ significantly. There was a significant direct correlation between students’ academic achievement and their self-efficacy score (r=0.159, p=0.006). Also, there was a significant statistical difference, according to the type of school, occupation, and education level of parents (p<0.0001). Conclusion The academic self-efficacy of students in the two groups do not differ, students of smart schools have the higher academic achievement. School smartness and high self-efficacy will improve students’ academic achievement.