EXTENDING THE TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL IN E-LEARNING DISCUSSION FORUM ADOPTION: UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The advancement of Information and Communication Technology and the Internet for educational purposes has been a staple discourse among researchers in recent years. However, preliminary investigations indicate that e-learning systems are underutilised due to the fact that some of their major features, like electronic discussion forums, remain inactive. Despite several scholars reporting on high levels of e-learning system implementation at Universities of Technology, it is unnerving that discussion forums within these platforms remain poorly utilised. The purpose of this study is to establish constructs that may promote the adoption and use of discussion forums. The Technology Acceptance Model forms the theoretical framework for this study and is extended by including digital inclusion, attention and perceived enjoyment. The research design adopted in this study was a mixed-method approach, focusing on both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. The target population for qualitative data collection was 210, however, only 182 agreed to participate in the study. Qualitative data was collected from thirty participants who were purposefully selected from a third year Information Technology class and interviewed with regards to the different constructs which make up the Technology Acceptance Model. Findings of this study suggest that perceived usefulness and ease, along with digital inclusion, may positively influence adoption and use of discussion forums at Universities of Technology. Both attention and perceived enjoyment were found to have a positive relationship on perceived usefulness and attitude. Furthermore, digital inclusion could be implemented to improve the perceived ease-of-use of the system, which ultimately leads to improved behavioural intention and usage. Improved usage of components within the Learning Management System leads to a healthy, functioning system used to its full potential, which benefits the learning experience for both student and academic. The study contributes to the board of knowledge by providing useful insights into the application of the Technology Acceptance Model. This is done by establishing additional constructs that may promote discussion forum usage.