Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The study of e-learning technology implementation: A preliminary investigation of universities in Thailand

  • Published:
Education and Information Technologies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

E-learning (EL) has become an increasingly popular mode of instruction in higher education due to the continual advances in Internet and multimedia technologies. Since many universities are adopting EL, an understanding of the critical factors involved in the implementation of EL technology can help to ensure the successful integration of EL in university administration planning and operations procedures. The objectives of this paper are twofold: to examine approaches to EL usage in universities in Thailand, and to report on a preliminary investigation into factors that influence EL implementation at the Thai tertiary level. Patterns of EL implementation from four cases are presented. Results from in-depth qualitative interviews with administrators, instructors, and students showed that three main factors and one key barrier influence the degree to which EL implementation was successful. The three factors are characteristics of the organization, the instructor and the Internet environment. Of these factors, the organizational component, including both the university policy towards EL and the organization of the EL unit itself, was the most important. The instructors’ perceptions of the benefits of EL and the ease of use also contributed to implementation success, as does Internet accessibility. The key barrier was found to be student preference for instructor-led learning. Implications for both university and EL unit administrators as well as for instructors are suggested for the continued development of EL in Thai universities and similar educational contexts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arbaugh, J. B. (2002) Managing the on-line classroom: A study of technological and behavioral characteristics of web-based MBA courses. Journal of High Technology Management Research 13(2), 203–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bureau of the Budget (2005) Thailand's budget in brief. Bureau of the Budget, Thailand. Retrieved from http://www.bb.go.th/, Last access 4 Oct 2005

  • Bovey, W. H. and Hede, A. (2001) Resistance to organisational change: The role of defence mechanismsJournal of Managerial Psychology 16(7), 534–548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Candy, P. C. (1991) Self-direction for Lifelong Learning: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Chien, M. H. (2004) The relationship between self-directed learning readiness and organizational effectiveness. Journal of American Academy of Business, Cambridge, 4(1/2), 285–288

    Google Scholar 

  • Daugherty, M. and Funke, B. L. (1998) University faculty and student perceptions of web-based instruction. Journal of Distance Education 13(1), 21–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, F. D. (1989) Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly 13(3), 319–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Davis, F. D., Bagozzi, R. P., and Warshaw, P. R. (1989) User acceptance of computer technology: a comparison of two theoretical models. Management Science 35(8), 982–1003

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabry, D. L. and Higgs, J. R. (1997) Barriers to the effective use of technology in education: Current status. Journal of Educational Computing Research17(4), 385–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Flick, U. (2002)An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Sage, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerber, R., Lankshear, C., Larsson, S., and Svensson, L. (1995) Self-directed learning in a work contextEducation+Training37(8), 26–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunasekaran, A., McNeil, R. D., and Shaul, D. (2002) E-learning: research and applicationsIndustrial and Commercial Training34(2), 44–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hackbarth, G., Grover, V., and Yi, M. Y. (2003) Computer playfulness and anxiety: Positive and negative mediators of the system experience effect on perceived ease of useInformation & Management40(3), 221–232

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harper, K. C., Chen, K., and Yen, D. C. (2004) Distance learning, virtual classrooms, and teaching pedagogy in the Internet environmentTechnology in Society26(4), 585–598

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey, R. C. and Ashworth, A. (1995) Mass higher education: a first stage model for the United KingdomQuality Assurance in Education3(4), 6–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henry, P. (2001) E-learning technology, content and servicesEducation+Training43(4), 249–255

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Hong, K. S. (2002) Relationships between students' and instructional variables with satisfaction and learning from a Web-based courseInternet and Higher Education5(3), 267–281

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IMD (2004) IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2004. International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Lausanne, Switzerland

    Google Scholar 

  • Inglis, A. (1999) Is online delivery less costly than print and is it meaningful to ask?Distance Education20(2), 220–239

    MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Joint, N. (2003) Information literacy evaluation: Moving towards virtual learning environmentsElectronic Library21(4), 322–334

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirkwood, A. (1998) New media mania: Can information and communication technologies enhance the quality of open and distance learning?Distance Education19(2), 228–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirtikara, K. (2001) Higher education in Thailand and the national reform roadmap. In Proceedings of the Thai-US Education Roundtable. Bangkok, Thailand

  • Kotler, P. and Armstrong, G. (2001)Principles of Marketing. (9th ed.). Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ

    Google Scholar 

  • Legris, P., Ingham, J., and Collerette, P. (2003) Why do people use information technology? A critical review of the technology acceptance modelInformation & Management40(3), 191–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Little, B. (2001) Achieving high performance through e-learningIndustrial and Commercial Training33(6), 203–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lomas, L. (2002) Does the development of mass education necessarily mean the end of quality?Quality in Higher Education8(1), 71–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathieson, K., Peacock, E., and Chin, W. W. (2001) Extending the technology acceptance model: The influence of perceived user resourcesDatabase for Advances in Information Systems32(3), 86–112

    Google Scholar 

  • McGorry, S. Y. (2003) Measuring quality in online programsInternet and Higher Education6(2), 159–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, M., Lu, M. Y., and Thammetar, T. (2004) The residual impact of information technology exportation on Thai higher educationEducational Technology Research and Development52(1), 92–96

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitev, N. N. and March, A. E. (1998) Small businesses and information technology: Risk, planning and changeJournal of Small Business and Enterprise Development5(3), 228–245

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MOE (1999) The National Education Act. Ministry of Education, Thailand. Retrieved fromhttp://www.moe.go.th/English/edu-act.htm#Next%20Steps%20:%20Reform%20of%20Education%20 in %20Thailand, Last access 3 Oct 2005

  • Moon, J. W. and Kim, Y. G. (2001) Extending the TAM for a world-wide-web contextInformation & Management38(4), 217–230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • NITC (2002) Thailand Vision Towards a Knowledge-based Economy. National Information Technology Committee Secretariat, Thailand. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nitc.go.th/it2010/it2010_publish_version.pdf, Last access 26 Aug 2005

  • Oliver, R. (1999) Exploring strategies for online teaching and learningDistance Education20(2), 240–254

    Google Scholar 

  • Oubenaissa, L., Giardina, M., and Bhattacharya, M. (2002) Designing a framework for the implementation of situated online, collaborative, problem-based activity: Operating within a local and multi-cultural learning contextInternational Journal on E-Learning1(3), 41–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Pajo, K. and Wallace, C. (2001) Barriers to the uptake of web-based technology by university teachersJournal of Distance Education16(1), 70–84

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. J. (2001)E-learning: Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the Digital Age. The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc

  • Rovai, A. P. (2002) Sense of community, perceived cognitive learning, and persistence in asynchronous learning networksInternet and Higher Education5(4), 319–332

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rovai, A. P. and Barnum, K. T. (2003) On-line course effectiveness: An analysis of student interactions and perceptions of learningJournal of Distance Education18(1), 57–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadler-Smith, E. (1996) Learning styles: A holistic approachJournal of European Industrial Training20(7), 29–36

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shabha, G. (2004) An assessment of the effectiveness of e-learning on university space planning and designFacilities22(3), 79–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svensson, L., Ellström, P. E., and Åberg, C. (2004) Integrating formal and informal learning at workJournal of Workplace Learning16(8), 479–491

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh, V., Speier, C., and Morris, M. G. (2002) User acceptance enablers in individual decision making about technology: Toward an integrated modelDecision Sciences33(2), 297–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Visscher, A. and Wild P. (1997) The potential of information technology in support of teachers and educational managers managing their work environmentEducation and Information Technologies2(4), 263–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Visscher, A. J. (1996) Information technology in educational management as an emerging disciplineInternational Journal of Educational Research25(4), 291–296

    Google Scholar 

  • Voci, E. and Young, K. (2001) Blended learning working in a leadership development programmeIndustrial and Commercial Training33(5), 157–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Suan-sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Sawai Siritongthaworn (Lecturer, PhD)

  2. School of Management, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand

    Sawai Siritongthaworn (Lecturer, PhD)

  3. School of Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand

    Donyaprueth Krairit (Assistant Professor) & Nicholas J. Dimmitt (Assistant Professor)

  4. School of Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand

    H. Paul (Professor)

Authors
  1. Sawai Siritongthaworn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Donyaprueth Krairit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nicholas J. Dimmitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. H. Paul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sawai Siritongthaworn.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Siritongthaworn, S., Krairit, D., Dimmitt, N.J. et al. The study of e-learning technology implementation: A preliminary investigation of universities in Thailand. Educ Inf Technol 11, 137–160 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11134-006-7363-8

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11134-006-7363-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation