Continuance intention to use mobile learning for second language acquisition based on the technology acceptance model and self-determination theory

Introduction

This study examines the factors that predict Chinese students' continuance intention to use mobile learning for second language acquisition based on the technology acceptance model and self-determination theory.

Method

One hundred seventy undergraduates have participated in the survey and the structural equation modeling is conducted to assess the validity of the integrated model and hypotheses.

Results

The findings show that instructor support can significantly predict autonomy, competence and relatedness. Autonomy and competence are positively related to perceived ease of use and continuance intention to use mobile learning for English acquisition. Relatedness significantly correlates with perceived ease of use but is not directly related to learners' continuance intention. The relationship between perceived ease of use and continuance intention to adopt mobile learning is positive and significant. In addition, the results show that instructor support, autonomy, relatedness, competence and perceived ease of use can predict Chinese students' continuance intention to use m-learning for second language acquisition, with 70.5% of the total variance in continuance intention being explained by these five variables.

Conclusion

These results thus empirically support the integrated model, which can be used as a theoretical framework in future studies on mobile learning in higher education contexts. Moreover, the results of this study have a number of practical implications for universities and instructors.

What Motivates You to Share? The Effect of Interactive Tailored Information Aids on Information Sharing about Clinical Trials

Cancer patients learn about research studies outside of the clinical environment, including websites, print and online advertisements, and interpersonal interactions. When cancer patients share credible information about clinical trials, they also frequently help clarify misunderstandings that may exist in their social networks. The present study investigated how an interactive tailored information aid on clinical trial participation motivated patients' information sharing behaviors. In this study of 312 cancer patients and survivors, an interactive tailored information aid improved patients' likelihood of sharing online and offline information more than a non-interactive tool. Information sharing was directly predicted by cognitive absorption and perceived visual informativeness. In addition, perceived utility and ease of use indirectly impact information sharing positively through the antecedent factors of user engagement and design esthetics. Education level further moderated this effect; information sharing was higher among patients with more education. The implications of these findings are discussed and recommendations for future research are provided.

Impact of Physicians' Competence and Warmth on Chronic Patients' Intention to Use Online Health Communities

In China, medical resources are unevenly distributed, and hospitals are very congested. Online health communities (OHCs) provide a new way for patients to communicate and obtain health-related information, thereby alleviating the pressure of treatment in hospitals. However, little is known about how to increase individuals’ use intention for OHCs from the perspective of physicians. This study aims to investigate the impact of physicians’ competence and warmth on chronic patients’ intention to use physician-centered OHCs based on the technology acceptance model. A formal investigation was anonymously conducted through a web-based questionnaire survey addressed to participants, and 710 valid responses were received. A research model was constructed and the hypotheses were tested by structural equation modeling. The findings suggest that competence and warmth positively affect chronic patients’ behavioral intention to use (BIU) OHCs through the mediation of perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEOU). All hypotheses were supported at the 0.05 significant level. Compared with competence, warmth has a slightly stronger impact on PU and PEOU. PEOU has a stronger impact on chronic patients’ BIU OHCs than PU. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of physicians’ characteristics in physician-driven OHCs. Compared with competence, physicians’ warmth should be paid more attention to motivate more chronic patients to use OHCs. Enhancing physicians’ warmth and the ease of use are the preferred ways to improve chronic patients’ intention to use OHCs.