Applying the Technology Acceptance Model to Analyze the Saudi University Students' Attitudes and Intentions toward Using E-learning in their Courses

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze students' behavioral intentions to use e-learning in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to examine the effectiveness of the technology acceptance model as a theoretical basis for understanding these behaviors. The researchers used analytical descriptive approach to identify the perceptions of a sample of (324) students in the Saudi government and private universities in the e-learning system. The researchers developed a questionnaire consisting of (29) items which covered nine main themes.The results of the field study showed the validity of the technology acceptance model as the theoretical background that would help in understanding and clarifying behavioral intentions of the students toward e-learning. The results showed that the behavioral intentions were affected by students' attitudes, personal standards and system accessibility, while they were not directly affected by perceived ease of use and expected benefits of the system. Also, the results showed that students' attitudes were affected by all variables, including expected benefits of the system, personal standards, system accessibility, ease of use and system effectiveness. The study recommended establishing of a center for teaching and learning within the university to present e-learning system and provide written instructions on that system and be responsible for the development of e-learning strategy. Also, the study recommended increasing self-efficacy for students in e-learning system, and providing more Courses in this system. It was also recommended that the department of e-learning system should help students to confirm or increase their positive perceptions toward e-learning system through developing more user-friendly and user-oriented e-learning content. Keywords: E-Learning, Technology acceptance model, Students' attitudes, Behavioral intentions, Saudi universities.