Title: Psychosocial determinants of information technology usage among students

Authors: Joshua Ebere Chukwuere; Ufuoma Patience Ejoke

Addresses: Department of Information Systems, North-West University, Mahikeng, South Africa ' Department of Psychology, Diseases of Lifestyles, North-West University, Mahikeng, South Africa

Abstract: Information Technology (IT) literacy is linked to student academic preformation in tertiary institutions. Institutions of learning are clouded with a host of psychosocial factors that may impede learning. However, little is known about the interrelationship between psychosocial factors and IT. To address this gap, this present study was undertaken to investigate the psychosocial determinants of IT usage among students. In conceptualising this concern, the study employed the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), and through a quantitative research methodology, primary data was collected by means of questionnaires from purposively selected 216 tertiary students from the North-West University (Mahikeng), South Africa. The following results were found; firstly, learning environment, benefits, and perception towards computer significantly impacted the IT usage of students. Secondly, access to resources, knowledge of the computer, social interaction, personal attributes (traits), quality of the application, and trends predicted IT usage. Lastly, social determinants of IT usage are significant to social pressure. Based on the study findings, it was recommended that IT should be actively infused into school curricula at tertiary institutions, as this will equip student knowledge on IT usage.

Keywords: psychosocial; information technology; tertiary students; South Africa; internet; determinants.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTEL.2019.100491

International Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 2019 Vol.11 No.3, pp.323 - 342

Received: 29 Nov 2017
Accepted: 01 Jul 2018
Published online: 29 Jun 2019 *

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