International Journal of Education and Development using ICT

International Journal of Education and Development using ICT > Vol. 17, No. 3 (2021)

Assessing the Adoption Behavior of E-Learning in a Developing Country in South East Asia: Predicting an Alternative Path to Behavioral Intention to Use

Md. Khaled Amin, American International University-Bangladesh
Mahmud H Zaman, North South University (NSU)

Abstract
To some extent in Bangladesh, all efforts that were put into availing technology-based learning has not paid off well as most of the learners are reluctant to use the evolving technologies. The major impediments to the use of various e-learning platforms include a lack of self-confidence and inadequate technical skills, along with insufficient knowledge. Previous studies have mainly focused on the adoption behavior of information system and information technology among students, educators, and the profession, but little is known about how to enhance learners’ skills and capacity prior to the adoption of the emerging e-learning platforms among the HEIs in Bangladesh. This study aims to apply the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to explore the protagonist factors that may expedite learners’ experience and the skills needed to embrace e-learning. The study analyzed data from 250 learners (students) collected form three purposively selected leading HEIs - the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), Daffodil International University (DIU) and the Northern University Bangladesh (NUB) in Bangladesh. The study used a paper-based self-administered questionnaire to conduct a survey comprised of statements (manifest variables), adopted from prior studies on the adoption behavior of Information Technology (IT) and Information System (IS). All responses were initially encoded into SPSS then processed through SMART PLS 2.0, a standard structural equation modeling simulation, for testing the study hypotheses. The findings revealed that the learners’ behavioral intention to embrace e-learning is highly infiltrated by the variables: effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), and performance expectancy (PE); likewise, variables such as i) Social influence (SI), ii) Effort Expectancy (EE), and iii) Facilitating Condition (FC) enhancing learners perceived behavioral control (PBC) of using e-learning platform prior to forming BIU. The study could contribute to the existing regional literature on e-learning acceptance; also, it could be quite useful for HEIs in Bangladesh for accelerating the e-learning penetration rate within their institution.

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