E-Learning acceptance in a developing country: A case of the Indonesian Open University

Abstract

The rapid proliferation of the number people using the Internet and World Wide Web (WWW) has been identified by many academic institutions as a potential opportunity to promote distance learning activity. E-learning has been implemented by academic institutions worldwide for decades, including the Indonesian Open University. In this study, using the Indonesian Open University or Universitas Terbuka (UT) as study setting, we investigate the factors that were believed to affect acceptance of e-learning namely, computer self-efficacy, convenience, instructor’s characteristics, instructional design, technological factors and institutional support. All these factors were examined to predict their contribution to the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). From the literature, we developed a research model and eleven hypotheses. The research model was tested using structural equation modeling technique. The research findings suggest several implications and contributions to the e-learning knowledge and concept. The results provide interesting insights and suggestions. Instructional design (ID) and technological factors (TF) were shown to be strong predictors of both perceived ease of use (PEOU) and perceived usefulness (PU). Consistent with prior studies, CSE was confirmed to predict perceived usefulness. Other variables; convenience (CONV) and instructor’s characteristics (IC) are found to be non-significant factors for perceived ease of use (PEOU). Perceived ease of use was found to be a strong predictor of perceived usefulness and intention to use