Experience factors related to students’ perceptions of eTexts: extending the Technology Acceptance Model

Abstract

In this exploratory study, quantitative statistics are used to: describe the student experience with etextbooks (etexts); identify how students perceive etexts; explore relationships between etext experience factors and perceptions of etexts; and, to consider the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a tool to measure acceptance of etexts. The population for this study is 4230 undergraduate students at a Canadian open university who were part of an institutional shift to etexts. Results are based on a convenience sample of 458 respondents, a response rate of 11 percent. Students find etexts easy to use, but not useful. Specific demographic and experience variables describe student etext users and the etext experience. If given the choice, respondents do not intend to use etexts in the future. As intention to use is associated with perceived ease of use but not perceived usefulness, the TAM may not be a suitable model of measuring acceptance of etexts