Technology Readiness for E-learning Adoption among High School students in Developing Economies

Abstract

E-learning is revolutionizing institutions and the phenomenon has become a useful platform for learning worldwide. There is plethora of studies on e-learning but the specific issue of technology readiness among senior high students in developing economies (DEs) has not been addressed exhaustively. This study described the level of technology readiness among students in selected senior high schools in Ghana. A quantitative method of data collection was adopted. Two hundred and forty-six (246) questionnaires were collected and analysis with Stata software. The results showed, first, that there was minimal technology infrastructure available for e-learning adoption, with connectivity and source of power/energy below expected level of readiness. Second, there was acceptable level of readiness for technology competence especially in switching computers on/off but woeful competence in managing internet resources. Technology infrastructure and technology competence were jointly statistically significant, and explained 71.6% of variability in technology readiness. To effectively adopt e-learning in senior high schools, it is important, first, to embark on practical training of students in concepts of computers and information and communication technology. Second, it is important to motivate students to invest in portable electronic devices such as tablets and smart phones. For future research, a study to investigate the availability of portable electronic devices among senior high students in DEs is recommended.