Explaining the intention to use technology among pre-service teachers: a multi-group analysis of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

Abstract

Pre-service teachers’ self-reported intentions to use information technology were studied. Two hundred and sixty-four participants completed a survey questionnaire measuring their responses to four constructs (performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions) derived from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology [UTAUT; Venkatesh, V., Morris, M.G., Davis, G., & Davis, F.D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27, 425–478]. Structural equation modelling showed that the UTAUT is a useful model in explaining pre-service teachers’ intention to use technology. However, multi-group analyses revealed that gender and age had moderated the UTAUT in ways that were different from Venkatesh et al. A possible explanation is that the strength and influences of the core determinants of the UTAUT may work differently when applied to another culture.

Keywords:

• multi-group analysis
• technology acceptance
• UTAUT
• intention to use
• pre-service teachers

Notes on contributors

Timothy Teo is an associate professor at University of Auckland, New Zealand. His research interests include technology acceptance and quantitative research methodology, with special focus on SEM, hierarchical linear modelling and psychometrics.

Jan Noyes is a professor of psychology at the University of Bristol, UK. She is currently Undergraduate Dean of Science at the University of Bristol. In 1999, she was awarded the prestigious Otto Edholm medal for her contributions to applied research in ergonomics.