An analysis of moodle in engineering education: The TAM perspective

Abstract

Based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) developed from the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and social psychology research by Davis (1989), this study models the use of the Internet-based modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment (Moodle) by students of the computer science department at Ming Chuan University (MCU), Taiwan. Apart from student demographics and background information (e.g., gender, frequency computer use, frequency Moodle use, etc.) that causes differences among TAM variables when using Moodle, the relationship between some additional external variables (e.g., system quality, reliability, interface design, interactivity, etc.) and TAM variables is investigated to provide suggestions for the application of information and computer education in science and engineering colleges, and to provide general information on using Internet-based teaching platforms. The participants of this study were undergraduate students of freshman, sophomore and junior from the computer science department at MCU, Taiwan. The questionnaires were distributed to a total of 260 students in six classes. 242 valid questionnaires were returned to give a valid rate of 0.93. The following observations are based on the questionnaires used in this study: 1) students have positive attitude toward using Moodle and have intention to use Moodle in the future; 2) system quality has less relationship with learning motivation but has medium influence on the attitude of students toward using Moodle; 3) “Attitude toward using” is highly correlated with “Behavioral intention to use”.