Adoption of technology : attitude of academic staff regarding online learning at Unisa, School of Environmental Sciences

Abstract

The rapid development, innovation and changes in information communication technology (ICT) have influenced teaching and learning praxis considerably. Research has shown that the adoption, diffusion and sustained use of ICT in teaching and learning are largely dependent on the attitudes of academic staff (Panda & Mishra 2007). The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of academic staff towards the adoption of myUnisa as an online teaching tool in the School of Environmental Sciences, Unisa. The theoretical foundation for this study is based on Rogers’s theory of diffusion of innovation (1983), Davis’s technology acceptance model (TAM) and (1985) Marcus’s theory of adoption (1986). The research methodology consisted of a survey questionnaire to determine the attitudes of academic staff and a statistical analysis of the tools used on myUnisa by academic staff. Results from both quantitative and qualitative data indicate that academic staff have moderately favourable attitudes towards myUnisa as a learning management system (LMS). The various teaching functions on myUnisa are perceived, adopted and utilised differently by individual staff members. Outcomes from this research should assist administrators by giving a current snapshot of the attitudes and usage patterns of myUnisa by academic staff and indicating areas for attention to improve adoption of ICT in teaching and learning.