THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY AS A MEDIATOR ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS ANXIETY AND ENGAGEMENT

Abstract

The Purpose of the study: This study investigated the relationship between students' anxiety and students’ engagement towards science in the presence of technology as a mediator. Methodology: For this research, data were collected personally through three different questionnaires for Students’ Academic Engagement, Anxiety towards Science, and Technology Attitude for Learning from the science students of 9^th and 10^th class at the secondary level. A total of 420 boys and girls participated in the study. The mediating analysis was performed in the Spss21 extension of Preacher and Hayes is used to analyse the data. Main Findings: Findings showed that technology attitude for learning significantly mediates the relationship between anxiety towards science and students’ academic engagement. The levels of students’ academic engagement and technology attitude for learning are higher in male students as compared to female students, whereas anxiety towards science is higher in female students. Similarly, the level of anxiety towards science is significantly higher in 10^th class students as compared to students of class 9^th. There is no significant difference in academic engagement and technology attitude for learning between 9^th and 10^th class students. Application of the study: The previous literature has shown the significant negative effect of anxiety on student engagement. While the present research exposed that technology significantly mediates the relationship between anxiety and engagement. It is concluded that technical assistance for science subjects can reduce anxiety and enhance student engagement towards science. Novelty/originality of the study: The integration of technology in the educational settings at the school level is not only crucial for students’ better academic performance, but also it can assist the teacher by introducing new innovative ways of teaching.