FACTORS AFFECTING THE ACCEPTANCE OF OPEN LEARNING AS E-LEARNING PLATFORM BY TECHNICAL COURSE STUDENTS

Transformation of current education system by instilling the capability of lifelong learning among the students is imperative to prepare the younger generation for the future workplace. This study analyses the use of Open Learning as e-learning platform among the technical course students and to identify the factors that influence their acceptance of this e-learning system via Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A model consisting of eight variables was proposed and thirteen hypotheses have been generated from the connections between these eight variables. These variables include perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, intention to use, subjective norm, experience, perceived self-efficacy, online system quality, and interactive learning activities. Questionnaire was given to the students enrolled in vector calculus online course at Open Learning system and 54 respondents were recorded. The data were then analysed via structural equation model using partial least square method. Nine out of thirteen hypotheses were supported by the analysis. It was discovered that subjective norm and online system quality variables have significant effect on the students' perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the online course in Open Learning. Perceived usefulness was the key element that linked the external variables and perceived ease of use to the intention to use the Open Learning system. This showed that the acceptance of students towards Open Learning platform was heavily influenced by the quality and accessibility of the online course. Hence, educators should properly design and develop their online course content such that students will be attracted to utilize the online course in Open Learning.