The World of Technology - Essay Example

Technology Acceptance Model (TAM)

Introduction

The world of technology is a dynamic and unique field which never seize to change. Most technological advancements are a result of humans trying to make life activities more comfortable and more efficient and quicker. Users perception is not always the same, and it depends on the type and function of the invention. The perception difference is what initiated the development of the Technology Acceptance Model, which is known as TAM. TAM is a theoretical information system which tends to justify how and when users accept and begin using technology (Scherer & Teo 2019). The idea of TAM framework is to change the perception of individuals into accepting technology and making use of it.

Components of Technology Acceptance Model

Fred Davis first developed technology Acceptance Model in the late 90s. According to Sauro, J. (2019), Davis established TAM based on the Classical Test Theory. It is a psychometric test process that tends to predict the outcomes of psychological assessment. That is, how easy or difficult is it to handle the items in the study. TAM comprises of different vital factors which are organized systematically to make it applicable (Sauro, 2019). There are many variable factors of TAM, as shown in figure 1 below. They all begin with two major ones, Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU). PU and PEOU are initiated by external variables, as shown in figure 1 below.

Figure 1: Technology Acceptance Model form Davis. 1989. Research gate.

Perceived Usefulness (PU)

Perceived usefulness analyzes the perception of what benefits the technology will bring to the performance of the initial tasks. Diop et al., (2019) define perceived value as the extreme length in which an individual supposes a technology will heighten task performance. PU can only be tested after a certain period of testing and observing the corresponding changes. PU has at least six items used when conducting the testing phase (Sauro, 2019). You must answer questions like does technology achieve tasks speedily. Will it improve job performance? Will it increase productivity? Will it enrich work's effectiveness? How more comfortable will performing the tasks become, and will the technology be generally useful for the intended work? All this question wil have answeres upon the completion of the trial phase.

Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU)

It is the degree to which an individual or a group of people believes that using technology is flawless (Abdullah & Ward, 2016). It is the perception of how easy is it to handle a given type of technology rather than being sophisticated and serving less of the intended purpose. Just like perceived usefulness, PEOU has six factors which it focuses on (Sauro, 2019). How easy or complex is to learn to use the technology? Is it easy for the technology to perform its intended functions commanded? Will the interactions between the technology and its user be comprehensible? How flexible are the interactions? Is gaining the skills required to use the technology easy, and is it generally easy to utilize? PU and PEOU are all analysed at the same time during the trial phase.

Attitude toward Using (A)

Attitude towards use is the next process in TAM. It refers to how users of technology consider their interest after the testing phase (Camilleri & Camilleri 2017). User's attitude is individually based and depend on how they comprehend new technology. Collectively, attitude toward use in technology is the feelings that a technology impacts on its prospective users. Even though views are mostly personal and internally based, there is a possibility of external attitudes influence (Scherer & Teo, 2019).

An example is social. Social influence of technology use depends on age and gender. Young people are likely to embraces and accept new technology as compared to the old.

Behavioural Intention to Use (BI)

Immediately after the formation of an attitude toward a particular type of technology, the users will develop a conscious behavioural response (Abdullah & Ward, 2016). BI is the fourth component of TAM, and it's either positive or negative, and an individual cannot plan for both. That is, the user will use the technology or not, and the decision is deliberate. Additionally, the experience of a particular user can influence the behavioural intentions to use (Scherer & Teo, 2019).

Actual system use

If the behavioural intention mentioned above is positive, the user will resort to using the technology. If the behavioural plan is contrary, it means the technology is unaccepted. It is the last component of the Technology Acceptance Model, and it determines whether the technology use can be applied in other places-expanding the outreach.

There are other additional extension studies conducted after TAM. The Extended Technology Acceptance Model, also known as TAM2, is one of the new studies developed after TAM. TAM2 were constructs of Davis and Vankatesh (Sauro, J. (2019). The new comprises of a subjective norm, which is how do other people to a user consider the one's ability to perform. Voluntariness-is it a mandatory requirement or not, image-how a person’s social system will relate with them, relevancy-how suitable is the system, output quality and tangible deliverables as a result of the method used. Another model is the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

Effect of Technology Acceptance Model on education setting

The education system is one of the leading sectors which technology has tried to improve. Despite the positive spirit, many more teachers and students are yet to begin using ICT in teaching and learning respectively (Rugelj & Zapušek, 2018). TAM in education is an analysis that explains the adoption of technology by teachers in providing their services.

The first effect is the age factor where many old teachers cannot implement or make good use of technology. Educational Video Game, commonly known as EVGs is a representation of a milestone in the education setting (Mejbri et al., 2017). the use of EVGs in teaching makes a student becomes highly motivated and very engaged in the learning process. Whenever EVGs are involved, the prevention of usual boredom and laxity during class time ends. Moreover, video games promote interactivity, and teachers can get immediate feedback. It is unlike in the traditional teaching methods where a teacher would wait until the following day to assess the understanding of students.

The world is currently facing an educational challenge because of the pandemic. There is quite a several students who still carry on with their education. Technology is in the education system that enables flexibility in terms of timeliness during teaching and assignment submission by students (Rugelj & Zapušek, 2018). Students conduct virtual learning which only requires a device like a phone, tablet or a computer and good internet connection. The learners can access learning material form the online school library at their convenience. However, most of the third world countries where access to the internet is still a challenge; learning has stopped completely to ensure fairness.

Students of higher learning are considered the most beneficiaries of technology. Colleges and universities are where learners begin to carry out actual research which mostly done through the internet. Dennis (2018) conducted a study on the impact of technology on higher learning in the United States of America and the world at large. The study found out that the internet is making the traditional geographical locations irrelevant and higher learning institutions are using digital platforms. India, China, Middle East and Africa are beginning to apply technology in every aspect of higher learning. Students can attend their classes virtually without having to travel across the world to seek education (Rugelj & Zapušek, 2018).

In conclusion, technology use and whether it will improve on the job performance begins from the user’s mindset. Online classes have become more useful as many learners increase their knowledge by taking part-time classes, especially in the evening and during holidays. The education sector still faces challenges in implementing the use of technology. Take, for example, Students from the public school will prefer using the institution's resources such as computers and the internet while private schools students will depend on their own. Technology, therefore, creates a gap between those who can and those who cannot afford it. None the less, traditional learning models should be replaced with the new ones because technology is already taking a positive spin in learner’s experiences.

Behavioural Intention to Use (BI)

Immediately after the formation of an attitude toward a particular type of technology, the users will develop a conscious behavioural response (Abdullah & Ward, 2016). BI is the fourth component of TAM, and it's either positive or negative, and an individual cannot plan for both. That is, the user will use the technology or not, and the decision is deliberate. Additionally, the experience of a particular user can influence the behavioural intentions to use (Scherer & Teo, 2019).

Actual system use

If the behavioural intention mentioned above is positive, the user will resort to using the technology. If the behavioural plan is contrary, it means the technology is unaccepted. It is the last component of the Technology Acceptance Model, and it determines whether the technology use can be applied in other places-expanding the outreach.

There are other additional extension studies conducted after TAM. The Extended Technology Acceptance Model, also known as TAM2, is one of the new studies developed after TAM. TAM2 were constructs of Davis and Vankatesh (Sauro, J. (2019). The new comprises of a subjective norm, which is how do other people to a user consider the one's ability to perform. Voluntariness-is it a mandatory requirement or not, image-how a person’s social system will relate with them, relevancy-how suitable is the system, output quality and tangible deliverables as a result of the method used. Another model is the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT).

Effect of Technology Acceptance Model on education setting

The education system is one of the leading sectors which technology has tried to improve. Despite the positive spirit, many more teachers and students are yet to begin using ICT in teaching and learning respectively (Rugelj & Zapušek, 2018). TAM in education is an analysis that explains the adoption of technology by teachers in providing their services.

The first effect is the age factor where many old teachers cannot implement or make good use of technology. Educational Video Game, commonly known as EVGs is a representation of a milestone in the education setting (Mejbri et al., 2017). the use of EVGs in teaching makes a student becomes highly motivated and very engaged in the learning process. Whenever EVGs are involved, the prevention of usual boredom and laxity during class time ends. Moreover, video games promote interactivity, and teachers can get immediate feedback. It is unlike in the traditional teaching methods where a teacher would wait until the following day to assess the understanding of students.

The world is currently facing an educational challenge because of the pandemic. There is quite a several students who still carry on with their education. Technology is in the education system that enables flexibility in terms of timeliness during teaching and assignment submission by students (Rugelj & Zapušek, 2018). Students conduct virtual learning which only requires a device like a phone, tablet or a computer and good internet connection. The learners can access learning material form the online school library at their convenience. However, most of the third world countries where access to the internet is still a challenge; learning has stopped completely to ensure fairness.

Students of higher learning are considered the most beneficiaries of technology. Colleges and universities are where learners begin to carry out actual research which mostly done through the internet. Dennis (2018) conducted a study on the impact of technology on higher learning in the United States of America and the world at large. The study found out that the internet is making the traditional geographical locations irrelevant and higher learning institutions are using digital platforms. India, China, Middle East and Africa are beginning to apply technology in every aspect of higher learning. Read More