Development and Validation of the Online Cooperative Learning Anxiety Scale

Anxiety is considered to be one of the key psychological contributing factors to learners' behavior, attitude and achievements in online cooperative learning. Online cooperative learning requires learners to operate the Internetbased learning system properly, learn autonomously and cooperate with others effectively with the aim of accomplishing a specific goal. In such a learning situation, it is anticipated that some learners might feel uneasy or fearful about using a computer and the Internet, monitoring and regulating their learning process, and communicating and collaborating with new acquaintances. However, few studies have focused on social aspects of learners' anxiety in online cooperative learning. This study purposed to identify learners' anxiety in online cooperative learning situations, and to develop and validate the online cooperative learning scale (OCLAS). As a result, 13 anxiety statements were identified as items for the OCLAS which includes three sub-scales: computer anxiety, communication anxiety, and online learning anxiety.