adoption and use of computer mediated communications : reactions of female site coordinators in a distributed education system
abstract
this study examines women's reactions to the
introduction of computer-mediated communications (cmc).
the literature suggests women exhibit some reluctance
in the use of computer technology. there are, however,
computer technologies, such as cmc, which appear
conducive to the learning and working conditions
preferred by women. this study examined the adoption
and use of the cosy conferencing system by women site
coordinators. the hiltz et al. model of acceptance was
used as the conceptual framework for the study. this
model views acceptance as a learning process in which
computer users require time to learn the skills
necessary to become competent users of the cmc system.
hiltz et al. used three major categories of variables,
system features, group factors and individual
difference measures to describe the various factors
that influence the "acceptance" of cmc systems. the
acceptance model focuses on how individual difference
measures interact with system features and group factor
variables of the cmc system. acceptance is measured\by
the individual's use of and satisfaction with cmc. \
consistent with hiltz' approach, this study examined '
the reactions of a group of women site coordinators to
the system feature and group factor variables of the
cosy computer conferencing system. use and perceived
satisfaction with the system were used as indicators of
the women's acceptance of the cosy system. the results
indicate the women were well satisfied with the
cooperative social arrangement of the group. the women
were also satisfied with the system features of the
cosy conferencing system.
collections
- retrospective theses [1604]