This study evaluated a custom-designed course
management system in use at a public institution in
the United States. While focusing on gathering
information relevant to the continued development of
the course management system, this study sought to
identify the relationship among user characteristics,
usability factors, and acceptance of the course
management system in order to clarify the application
of the Technology Acceptance Model to this unique
situation. This study also sought to identify
usability problems with course features. The data
indicated that three usability factors, ease of
navigation, ease of learning, and visual perception
were significant predictors of acceptance of the
course management system. The usability of features
was examined using both Likert-scale items and
content analysis of open-ended survey questions. The
content analysis of the open-ended items revealed
several specific problems that were commonly
encountered while using specific course features.
Based on these findings, several recommendations are
made toward the improvement of the custom-designed
course management system and also toward the
improvement of the survey instrument for future use.
management system in use at a public institution in
the United States. While focusing on gathering
information relevant to the continued development of
the course management system, this study sought to
identify the relationship among user characteristics,
usability factors, and acceptance of the course
management system in order to clarify the application
of the Technology Acceptance Model to this unique
situation. This study also sought to identify
usability problems with course features. The data
indicated that three usability factors, ease of
navigation, ease of learning, and visual perception
were significant predictors of acceptance of the
course management system. The usability of features
was examined using both Likert-scale items and
content analysis of open-ended survey questions. The
content analysis of the open-ended items revealed
several specific problems that were commonly
encountered while using specific course features.
Based on these findings, several recommendations are
made toward the improvement of the custom-designed
course management system and also toward the
improvement of the survey instrument for future use.