Understanding the adoption of e-learning in South Korea: Using the extended Technology Acceptance Model approach

Abstract

In an era of educational paradigm shifts, adoption of e-learning has been a significant phenomenon in South Korea. This study examines characteristics of instructor, teaching materials, perceived mobility, and perceived connectedness as key independent factors for intent to use e-learning systems, by way of effects on perceived usefulness and ease of use. Although the psychological factors influencing e-learning adoption are well defined, the framework that accounts for such effects remains ambiguous. The suggestion herein is that intent to use e-learning is related to the user's motivational factors, a connection that can be explained in terms of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The results indicated that instructor characteristics and perceived mobility were the important factors determining the learners' perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. In addition, perceived connectedness is positively related to intention to use e-learning (ITU). This study represents a beginning step to investigate the mechanism of adopting e-learning with result implications and the future directions of study.