The Relationship Between Technology Use, Value, and Effectiveness for Learning in Higher Education Contexts

• In Event: Measure of Perceptions and Learning Within Instructional Technology Contexts

Abstract

In this study, researchers sought to examine relationships between college students’ perceptions of technology use and technology importance for learning using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a framework. Analysis from a structural equation model revealed that the perception of importance had a significant, positive effect (e.g., .45 for hardware devices) on technology use and that the largest positive effect on effectiveness came from the perception of software importance (.57). Its influence was further mediated indirectly through technology use. This data confirms previous qualitative findings and the results suggest that college students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of Web 2.0 technologies in supporting their learning is a direct result of the value or importance (perceived usefulness) they place on such technologies.

Authors

• Zhicheng Zhang, George Mason University

• Helen E. Fake, George Mason University

• Nada Dabbagh, George Mason University