Technology Acceptance within Informal Personal Learning Environments: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Creating and using informal personal learning environments (IPLEs) enables personalisation of learning to individual needs. A comprehensive understanding of factors impacting technology selection and acceptance in IPLEs is still lacking. Drawing on 20 in-depth interviews with undergraduates and mind maps of their IPLEs, this paper presents a discussion of the factors effecting technology selection within IPLEs. Seven factors related to technical/operational capability and critical thinking ability, two key components of digital literacy are discussed. The paper suggests that existing models of technology acceptance need to be modified to include factors such as choice, individuals’ tendency to exploit the social capital of the IPLE and digital literacy to understand technology acceptance within IPLEs. It proposes a conceptual framework of the factors which could be used to guide future research on appropriation of ubiquitous technologies for effective teaching and learning. It concludes with a discussion of the implications and future research opportunities.