A Comparison of Student Technology Acceptance between Traditional and Non-Traditional Students Using Online Learning Technologies
Online learning has changed higher education, emerging as a primary source for delivering courses and programs to students. As online learning has grown, more non-traditional students have entered college, many for the first time. Consequently, many of these non-traditional are experiencing online learning, and the technologies that deliver them, for the first time. Retention rates for online non-traditional students have been low and therefore understanding technology acceptance of these students is crucial to deploying online learning systems that help drive student success and retention. This quantitative research study developed and tested technology acceptance of online learning technologies using the technology acceptance model (TAM) with variables perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), attitude (A), and intention to use (IU). The TAM variables were compared against the two dependent variables, traditional students (TS) and non-traditional students (NTS). Findings from 80 valid responses, 40 TS and 40 NTS, in an online survey and Mountain Empire Community College (MECC), showed that PEOU had a significant effect on PU, which is consistent with TAM. Findings showed that PEOU had no effect on (A) for TS but did have a significant effect on (A) for NTS. Further, PU had a significant effect on (A) and (A) had a significant effect on IU, which is consistent with TAM. Comparing TAM variables showed that there was a difference in technology acceptance between TS and NTS.
