ERIC Number: EJ818880
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Nov
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0144-929X
EISSN: N/A
A Technological Acceptance of E-Learning Tools Used in Practical and Laboratory Teaching, According to the European Higher Education Area
Martinez-Torres, M. R.; Toral, S. L. Marin; Garcia, F. Barrero; Vazquez, S. Gallardo; Oliva, M. Arias; Torres, T.
Behaviour & Information Technology, v27 n6 p495-505 Nov 2008
The application of scientific tools to analyse the use of Internet-based e-learning tools in academic settings is in general an ignored area. E-learning tools are actually an emergent topic as a result of the new ideas introduced by the European Higher Education Area. Lifelong learning, or the promotion of student initiative, is the new paradigm of a learner-centred education. In this context, e-learning tools can represent an effective way of supporting this new trend in education. Assuming the premise that successful use of these web-based tools depends primarily on a user's behaviour, the objective of this research is to examine the technology acceptance model (TAM) of web-based e-learning tools used in practical and laboratory teaching. The research hypotheses derived from this model have empirically been validated using the responses to a survey on e-learning usage among 220 users. These responses have been examined through partial least square. The obtained results strongly support the extended TAM in predicting a student's intention to use e-learning and define a set of external variables with a significant influence in the original TAM variables. Surprisingly, perceived ease of use did not posit a significant impact on student attitude or intention towards e-learning tool usage. Therefore, early evaluation of e-learning material is considered essential to providing a framework for further improvements of the tool. (Contains 2 figures, 3 tables, and 1 note.)
Descriptors: Higher Education, Student Attitudes, Lifelong Learning, Laboratories, Internet, Electronic Learning, Foreign Countries, Educational Technology, Models, Student Surveys, Student Motivation, Correlation, Least Squares Statistics, Predictive Measurement, Predictive Validity, Predictor Variables, Intention, Student Behavior, Computer Simulation, Integrated Learning Systems, Computer Peripherals, Hypothesis Testing, Content Validity, College Students
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A