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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 9, No. 2

Publication Date: February 25, 2022

DOI:10.14738/assrj.92.11499. Alharbi, O., Alshammari, Y., & AlMutairi, A. (2022). Review Theories of E-Learning. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal,

9(2). 428-434.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Review Theories of E-Learning

Omran Alharbi

Ministry of education, Saudi Arabia- researcher, KSA

Yousef Alshammari

PhD Student at Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK

Awatif AlMutairi

College of Applied Studies and Community Service

King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- PhD researcher, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK

ABSTRACT

There are several theories, which can be adopted and integrated to investigate the

adoption of technology from learners and instructors’ perceptions in education

environment. However, little of research were conducted to provide a

comprehensive review of these theories. This study will present a comprehensive

review of the essential theories such as Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory

of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), Diffusion of Innovations

Theory (DIT), Motivational Model (MM) ,Model of Personal Computing Utilization

(MPCU) ,Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) Model

Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Also, this paper attempt to provide some

justifications about why the TAM model has used in research more than others

theories.

Keywords: Theories, E-Learning and Technology.

INTRODUCTION

Most research that conducted about exploring and illustrating the use of technology from users’

perceptions adopted theory in the research in order to support in enterprising and explain the

findings of the study. The researchers can construct the tools of their study based on theory.

This can help and support to interpretive the results from their study. As the result, this paper

came to review the theories that can be adopted in research to assist for explaining and

enterprising the outcomes.

THEORIES OF E-LEARNING IMPLEMENTATION

In this section, the crucial theories that can be adopted in research in order to examine and

investigate users’ perceptions about the use of technology in their educational environment

will be reviewed and presented.

Several models and frameworks have been developed to explain the implementation,

acceptance and adoption of new technologies, including the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA),

Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), Diffusion of Innovation

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Alharbi, O., Alshammari, Y., & AlMutairi, A. (2022). Review Theories of E-Learning. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 9(2). 428-434.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.92.11499

(DIT) theory, Motivational Model (MM), Model of PC Utilization (MPCU), Unified Theory of

Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). In

addition to technologies and eLearning, these models have been used to predict and better

understand behaviours across a variety of domains, including education, health and consumer

behaviours (Taherdoost, 2017). The following section provides an overview of the

aforementioned theoretical models, concluding in a more detailed overview of the TAM,

including its strengths and weaknesses and the rationale for the selection TAM as a framework

for studying the acceptance and integration of technology by users.

THEORY OF REASONED ACTION (TRA)

The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) model was developed by Fishbein and Ajzen in 1975

(Ajzen, 1985; Ajzen et al., 1980). The TRA is considered to be the foundation for subsequent

theories and models that aim to investigate and explain behaviours (Taherdoost, 2017). The

TRA posits that behaviour can be predicted and explained via cognitive domains including

attitudes (positive and negative feelings towards a behaviour), social norms and influences, and

behavioural intentions (Taherdoost, 2017). According to the TRA, behaviour is determined by

an individual’s intentions to perform the behaviour. In addition, behavioural intentions are a

function of attitudes towards the behaviour and subjective norms (Ajzen et al., 1980; Silverman

et al., 2016). It is considered that the best predictor of behaviour is intention or instrumentality,

which is the belief that a particular behaviour will result in the intended outcome.

THEORY OF PLANNED BEHAVIOUR (TPB)

The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was introduced by Ajzen and colleagues in 1985, and

is one of the most frequently cited influential models for predicting and understanding human

behaviours (Ajzen, 1991; 2011). TBP extends upon the TPA (Ajzen, 1985; Ajzen et al., 1980),

with the addition of a new variable, namely, perceived behavioural control (PBC). PBC is an

individual’s expectancy that undertaking the behaviour is within their control (Conner, 2001).

Understandably, PBC is also determined by the availability of resources, opportunities and

skills, in addition to the perceived significance of these in achieving certain outcomes

(Taherdoost, 2017). Whilst both TRA and TPB assumes that behavioural intentions are a

primary predictor of an individual’s behaviour, TPB posits that behaviours are determined by

intentions, but under certain circumstances PBC (Kan & Fabrigar, 2017). According to the TPB,

behavioural intentions are governed by attitudes towards the behaviour, subjective norms, and

PBC (Kan & Fabrigar, 2017). Subjective norms are an individual’s perception of social pressures

to perform or not perform a behaviour. It is assumed that individuals are more likely to carry

out the procedure if it is regarded as desirable by significant others (Ajzen, 1991; Ham et al.,

2015).

SOCIAL COGNITIVE THEORY (SCT)

Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) is a theoretical framework for analysing human motivation,

thought and action, via a model of causation in which behaviour, cognition, and environmental

influential factors interact with and influence each other (Bandura, 1997; Shu et al., 2011;

Taherdoost, 2017). SLT is a widely accepted model that is used in predicting both individual

and group behaviour, and identify ways and methods in which behaviour can be modified or

changed (Shu et al., 2011). Moreover, SCT recognises that behaviour may not just be controlled

by situations but also an individual’s perception of the situation. Thus, the same stimuli may

provoke different responses from different people at different times (Shu et al., 2011).

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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 9, Issue 2, February-2022

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

According to SCT, the concept of self-efficacy is considered to be a primary determinant of an

individual’s performance of a task or behaviour, and has several psychological and behavioural

impacts on psychosocial functioning (Bandura, 1997; 1986). The concept of self-efficacy has

been used in research to examine acceptance and utilisation of technologies (Compeau &

Higgins, 1995; Marakas et al., 1998).

DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS THEORY (DIT)

The diffusion of innovation theory (DIT) (Rogers, 2003) is a model that seeks to explore factors

that affect how an individual adopts new technologies. DIT aims to explain how, why and at

what rate new ideas and technologies extend across cultures (Al-Jabri & Sohail, 2012).

According to Rodgers (2003), there are factors that are key influencers of the adoption of a

behaviour. These include relative advantage (the degree to which an individual perceives

relative advantage or usefulness of a new technology over an old one, i.e. increased efficiency,

and economic and social benefits); complexity (the extent to which a technology is considered

to be difficult to understand or use); compatibility (the degree to which a technology is

considered to be consistent with an individual’s existing values, beliefs, habits and

experiences); trialability (the capacity to experiment with new technologies before adoption);

perceived risk (the degree of the risks in using a new technology); and observability (the extent

to which a new technology is viable to the members of a social system) (Al-Jabri & Sohail, 2012).

Several studies have examined the aforementioned DIT factors in the adoption of internet- based technologies, and have concluded that particularly the variables relative advantage, ease

of use, and compatibility are salient factors for the adoption of internet and mobile technologies

(e.g. Koenig-Lewis et al., 2010; Liu & Li, 2010; Papies & Clement, 2008; Vijayasarathy, 2004).

MOTIVATIONAL MODEL (MM)

The Motivational Model (MM) is a theoretical model built on concepts of extrinsic and intrinsic

motivational factors (Abduljalil & Zainuddin, 2015; Romano et al., 2010; Taherdoost, 2017).

Extrinsic motivation relates to the performance of an activity because the individual perceives

it to be instrumental in achieving valued outcomes, i.e. improved performance at work (Davis,

1989; Davis et al., 1992; Davis & Bagozzi, 1989). It is thought that extrinsic motivation

influences behaviour due to the reinforcement of tangible outcomes, whilst intrinsic motivation

refers to the undertaking of an activity for no other external reinforcement other than the

process of performing the activity itself (Davis, 1989; Davis et al., 1992; Davis & Bagozzi, 1989).

In accordance with the application of an MM in the acceptance and application of technologies,

perceived usefulness (i.e. a person’s expectation that using the technology will result in

improved performance) would be an example of extrinsic motivation, whereas enjoyment

would be an example of intrinsic motivation (Davis, 1989; Davis et al., 1992; Davis & Bagozzi,

1989). Research has shown that perceived usefulness is particularly influential in the voluntary

use of technologies and as a variable it exhibits strong and consistent relationships with usage

behaviour and intentions (Davis et al., 1992; Taherdoost, 2017).

MODEL OF PERSONAL COMPUTING UTILIZATION (MPCU)

The Model of Personal Computing Utilization (MPCU) was developed by Thompson et al.

(1991), building on Triandis’ (1980) theory of interpersonal behaviour and their theoretical

framework to describe how human behaviour occurs and determine the factors that influence

behaviour. According to Triandis (1980) behaviour is determined by attitudes (what an

individual would like to do), social norms (what they think they should do), habits, and