Parental Perceptions and Recommendations of Computing Majors: A Technology Acceptance Model Approach Cloud-based Versus Local-based Web Development Education: An Experimental Study in Learning Experience Role-Playing and Problem-Based Learning: The Use of

Abstract

Abstract Currently, there are more technology related jobs then there are graduates in supply. The need to understand user acceptance of computing degrees is the first step in increasing enrollment in computing fields. Additionally, valid measurement scales for predicting user acceptance of Information Technology degree programs are required. The majority of existing research regarding methods for increasing enrollment focus on subjective measures that are often invalid or invalidated. This research study adapts a well-known, validated and established user acceptance of information technology model (TAM) developed by Davis in 1989. The TAM model was adapted to understand factors for the acceptance of information technology and was based on the long standing Theory of Reasoned Action from behavioral psychology. This work adapts TAM to explore factors that influence parents' decision to recommend Information Technology as a Major to their children. Since parents have a high degree of influence over the major selection of their children, determining factors for recommending IT as a major can assist IT programs in improved marketing to increase enrollment. In this work, we hypothesize that perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEoU) will impact a parent's likelihood of recommending IT as a major to their children. Results revealed parent's perception of the perceived usefulness of IT (PU) affected their willingness to recommend IT as a major to their children; conversely, parents were not concerned with the ease of use of IT (PEoU). Implications include improved marketing of IT programs to parents by focusing on the usefulness of IT as a discipline