What affects students’ acceptance and use of technology?

Students’ acceptance and use of technologies introduced in their academic environments is an important factor in determining the success of these technologies. This research project used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), a prominent technology acceptance and use model, as a theoretical basis to conduct empirical research testing the factors that influence students’ acceptance and use of technology in their academic environment.

Although several studies applied UTAUT in various organizational and cultural contexts, very few implement the full model and examine all of its constructs. By focusing on students in higher-education and technology that is new to them, and by using the full UTAUT model with no changes or elimination of constructs, this study places itself in the area where there are no exhaustive studies. Also, this research addresses the question of whether UTAUT is applicable in an academic environment for educational technologies introduced to the students.

The study found a mixed support for UTAUT. Performance expectancy, effort expectancy, facilitating conditions and attitude towards using technology were significant determinants of technology acceptance. All moderating variables had a significant moderating influence except for experience, which was surprisingly not significant. The UTAUT model is found to be applicable to some extent in the educational setting, but might need a few modifications to fit the context.

The study provides recommendations to help prepare the appropriate environment and training before a new technology is introduced for students. It also provides recommendation for further research examining students’ acceptance and use of technology.