Abstract— Previous studies suggest that learners’ anxiety has negative effects on their behaviors, attitudes and achievements in online cooperative learning. Cooperative learning via the Internet requires learners to operate the learning system properly, and to cooperate with others effectively with the aim to accomplish a specific goal. In such a leaning situation, it is anticipated that learners might feel uneasy or fearful about using a computer and the Internet, and communicating with new acquaintances. However, few studies have focused on both of the aspects of learners’ anxiety. This study purposed to identify learners’ anxiety in online cooperative learning situations. As a result, 13 anxiety statements were identified as items for anxiety in online cooperative learning, and the 13 items were classified into three clusters: “computer anxiety”, “online learning anxiety”, and “communication anxiety”.

Index Terms— Anxiety, cooperative learning, online learning, internet-based learning.

Hiroki Yoshida, Seiji Tani, and Jitsuko Masui are with Tokoha University, Shizuoka, Japan (e-mail: h-yoshida@sz.tokoha-u.ac.jp).
Tomoko Uchida is with Jeju National University, Jeju, Korea.
Akira Nakayama is with Ehime University, Ehime, Japan.

Cite: Hiroki Yoshida, Seiji Tani, Tomoko Uchida, Jitsuko Masui, and Akira Nakayama, " Structural Analysis of Anxiety in Online Cooperative Learning," International Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management and e-Learning vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 381-385, 2013.