Investigating user acceptance and adoption of online peer assessment tool in a blended learning environment.

• Main Author: Tang, Ai Chee.
• Other Authors: Theng, Yin Leng
• Format: Theses and Dissertations
• Language: English
• Published: 2008
• Subjects: DRNTU::Humanities::General::Education
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/14569
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This study investigates the various factors that might be predictors of users’ acceptance and adoption of technology of the peer evaluation tool (PET) as a learning application to complement the blended learning environment in a local university. Three research objectives were set to frame the study. The study examined the students’ usage patterns using a combination of descriptive statistics and statistical testing hypotheses of relationships. This study, grounded on the well-established Technology Acceptance Model, investigated student’s acceptance of technology through the key perception of usefulness, perceived ease of use and behavioural intentions to use and other measures that possibly affect and predict users’ intention to use technology. Research hypotheses and the questionnaire were formulated to address the three research objectives. Data collated from 145 valid responses were analysed and statistically tested. The results of the study offered insights towards understanding factors that determine and predict student’s technology acceptance and use. The study revealed that users of PET were IT-savvy and found PET easy to use. The study also found that perceived system usefulness, attitude towards using technology and subjective norm had positive effect on users’ behavioural intention to use. However, in contradiction to prior well-substantiated literature, the study found perceived ease of use not a factor determining users’ intention to use PET. The presence of a large percentage of respondents taking a “neutral” stance across all the evaluative questions was highlighted. The study recommended that further investigation be conducted to affirm (i) the result of perceived ease of use not being a determinant factor to users’ behavioural intent use PET and (ii) the anomaly in the neutrality stance and if that could be an indication of “attitude” towards technology use; particularly under non-volitional circumstances.