Attitudes about Distance Training: E-ATAD Consistency and Analysis of Receptive, Favorable and Resistant Behaviors

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the internal consistency of the Distance Training Attitudes Scale (E-ATAD) and the receptive, favorable, and resistant behaviors towards this modality among university students from a Higher Education Institution in Minas Gerais. For this purpose, data collection was conducted through the application of the E-ATAD, validated by Pompeu et al. (2015), with 120 participants. Analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Results reveal an unifactorial structure for the measurement scale, with psychometric indices superior to those obtained in the reference validation study. The majority of participants (52.5%) have a moderately favorable attitude towards distance training, perceiving them as positive or beneficial, while 18.3% exhibit resistance to this modality and 29.2% a receptive attitude. These attitudes can be justified by factors such as lack of proficiency or even aptitude with tools and technology use, lack of direct interaction among those involved, and, in some courses, the lack of development of practical skills. For the portion of participants who have a receptive attitude towards distance training, it is implied that they have greater ease with technology and understanding of the benefits that this modality provides.

Keywords: E-ATAD. Training. EaD. Factor structure.