WCES 2012
Information Technology (IT) Acceptance by Students in Online Social Networks Solmaz Zardarya 1, Fahime Abbasib, Zohreh Mirzaei c a PhD Student of Library & Information Science, Shahid Chamran University, Ahwaz ,Iran Master of Medical Library & Information Science, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. c MSc. Student of library & Information Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Hamedan, Hamedan, Iran
b
Abstract The purpose of the research is to study determinate factors in information technology (IT) acceptance by students as a generation of users of social networks. The constructs of TAM include perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, attitude toward use, and intention to use of IT that affect social network use by students. TAM is introduced by F. Davis (1986) to determine factors to accept IT by users of information systems. The factors identified by the information technology model lead to introduction, description, and more effective knowledge transformation in virtual spaces of social networks as a new educational tool. In this article, social networks opportunities through the framework of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) will be explored to show network connected students operation. Keywords: Information technology (IT), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), online social networks, Acceptance, students;
1. Introduction In recent years, it has been felt personal factors such as people's perceptions and attitudes towards technology, their demographic data, including factors that affect acceptance and usage of technology. Due to the important role of human factors to improve efficiency in electronic and digital learning investigation of individual factors can increase efficient and systematic utilization of different aspects of information technology and as a result helps to education improvement and productivity. Although the impact of information technology in education is undeniable (Ismat, 1995), but potential resistance seems to be seen from individuals with different levels of use. Despite the possible access to information technology and initiative environment, some students reluctant to use online social networks as an educational system. In these circumstances, full advantage of the possibilities of new technology is not been obtained and investing and spending time cultivating and developing the education will be useless. To identify the factors affecting the acceptance and use of information technology research activities have been conducted in education especially e-learning. In this context, educational experts have been offered various factors and variables in form of different models e.g. diffusion of innovations by E.M. Rogers (1995), Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) by I. Ajzen (1991), Socio technical Systems Theory of Acceptance, Technology acceptance Model by F.D Davis (1986), and etc. (Dillon and Morris1996). Since that TAM is offered and modified specifically to explain computer usage behavior, in this article online social network as educational initiative will be suggested in regard to TAM framework. 2. Students and information technology Social network usage in education system has enhanced functionality of e-learning. In this increasingly complex virtual world and its high acceptance among young generation various knowledge sharing path must be provided to students. Their interests and attributes must be considered to information technology. Using information technology increases student motivation and learning particularly in virtual environments. Also offering different styles of learning and meeting learners' individual needs is more convenient in the extensive information world (Papert, 1993). Social networks are fertile and helpful environment in this direction. Bringing out educational conditions out of the physical environment limits for learning to train everyone, at any time, and any place requires acceptance and utilization of technology. 3. Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)
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Solmaz Zardary,
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Technology Acceptance Model is introduced by Davis, 1986. Its origin rose from North America in Davis doctoral thesis. Davis adapted theory of reasoned action (TRA), proposed by Ajzen and Fishbein 1980, to explain the technology acceptance model (TAM) as a specifically meant to explain computer usage behavior (Davis, Bagozzi, & Warshaw, 1989). TAM investigates a person’s intention to adopt a particular information technology. This model is accepted and suggested by lots of experts e.g. Miller and Khera (2010); Al- Gahtani (2001); and Venkatesh (2000). Perceived ease of use (PeoU) and perceived usefulness (PU) are two constructs of the TAM. PU has a direct and positive effect on perceived intention to use, while PeoU has an indirect and direct positive effect on it. TAM model is demonstrated in Figure 1. PU
External Variables
Behavioral Intention to Use
Using Attitude
Actual System Use
PeoU
Figure 1. TAM model
Later Venkatesh and Davis (1996) proposed a TAM2 framework. In second model PU and PeoU are modified and influenced by environmental variables.TAM2 is illustrated in figure 2.
Figure 2. TAM2
Also scientists observed cultural elements relationship with particular predictors of PU and PeoU such as relevance, trust, and ease of access, "while other constructs (social norm, domain knowledge, visibility, and self-efficacy) demonstrated predictive power in only one setting"( Miller and Khera, 2010). The TAM model describes well factors that affect usage of information technology. Lots of researches have been done about capabilities of adoption of new technologies and information on the effectiveness of the education (e.g. Shin, 2010). 4. Social networks and learning Online Social networks or social network sites are one of the innovative technologies has been developed in recent years. Online networked students enjoy some unique technology characteristics of web 2.0 beyond more traditional information technology or old education systems. Expansion and development of online social network technology as an acceptable vehicle to create a virtual e-learning environment is undeniable. As a classical definition of social network, Boyd and Ellison (2008) recounted three basic characteristics of network sites as allowing people to "(1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system". The first online social network according to this definition was Sixdeegre.com in 1997. Today after more than a decade this definition need to be extended as online social networks includes modulation of social media and social network sites (Kim, Jeong, and Lee, 2010) with new applications of web 2.0. Online social networks provide interaction between teachers and learners and empower communication between learners and encourage them to strengthen the effectiveness of the educational process. Also they could advantage more effectively with the vast information resources such as electronic libraries. User created content in social networks is shared and exchanged and other people regardless instructors or classmates comment on it. This information stream leads a new idea to be corrected and be helpful/ innovative in education cycle. In this manner knowledge based community will be generated among teachers and learners as a lifelong activity. 5. Conclusion The current study examined social network acceptance in education and academic institutions in the developed digital world. Technology Acceptance Model can be considered as a framework for student to use technology such as social networks. Online social network is a new initiative created in web2.0 initiative. If online and virtual social networks be defined in a good framework like as TAM can be a device for global scientific collaboration and learning activities. To conduct online social networks as an educational space there is need to have a model like as TAM context. According to attention to students' behavior toward technology, achieved results can be useful for planners of higher education. Policy makers remind effectiveness of information technology in students learning process. In the other hand dominate learning can be easily trained in the use of information technology by reinforcing students skills and acceptance of information technology.
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