Students' decisions to use an eLearning system: a structural equation modelling analysis

This research investigates and identifies some of the major factors affecting studentsâ?? adoption of an e-learning system at Arab Open University in Jordan. E-learning adoption is approached from the information systems acceptance point of view. An extended version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was developed to investigate the underlying factors that influence studentsâ?? decisions to use an e-learning system. The proposed model uses the actual use of an e-learning system. It is different from most of the prior TAM studies, which only used a single dependent variable (intention to use). The model was estimated using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The final models derived from this study indicated that beliefs of usefulness and ease of use partially mediate the relationship between external factors and intention to use and actual use of e-learning systems

Learning strategies in distance course: validation of a scale

Pesquisas em avaliação de treinamentos a distância são incipientes. O artigo pretende contribuir com a área ao construir e validar estatisticamente o instrumento Estratégias de Aprendizagem. O curso-alvo foi oferecido pelo SEBRAE para alunos do Brasil inteiro. A coleta de dados foi realizada ao final do curso por meio de questionário digitalizado que mede a freqüência com que os participantes utilizam as estratégias ao longo do curso. Foram realizadas análises estatísticas de Componentes Principais (PC) e Fatoriais (PAF) e de consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach). Após a validação estatística, o instrumento apresentou sete fatores: Controle da emoção, 5 itens (a=0,89); Busca de ajuda interpessoal, 6 itens (a=0,89); Repetição e organização, 5 itens (a=0,77); Controle da motivação, 4 itens (a=0,84); Elaboração, 3 itens (a=0,83); Busca de ajuda ao material didático, 2 itens (a=0,75); Monitoramento da compreensão, 3 itens (a=0,82). Os resultados indicam que a escala é estatisticamente válida e confiável.Although few researches on evaluation of distance training. This article intends to contribute on this area when build and statistically validate the instrument Learning Strategies. The evaluated course was offered by SEBRAE to Brazilian students. The data have been collected at the end of the course by questionnaire that measured the frequency with the participants to use the strategies during the course. It have been made statistics analyses of Principal Components (PC) and Factors (PAF) and Internal Consistency (Coefficient Alpha). After the statistical validate, the questionnaire present seven factors: Emotion control, 5 questions (a=0,89); Interpersonal help seeking, 6 questions (a=0,89); Rehearsal and organization, 5 questions (a=0,77); Motivation control, 4 questions (a=0,84); Elaboration, 3 questions (a=0,83); Help of the material, 2 questions (a=0,75); Comprehension monitoring, 3 questions (a=0,82). The results indicated that the scale is valid and reliable statistically

Aggregation-disaggregation algorithm for e2-singularly perturbed limiting average Markov control problems

In this paper we consider a singular perturbation of order 2 for a Markov decision process with the limiting average reward criterion. We define a singular perturbation of order 2 in the following sense: we assume that the underlying process is composed of n separate irreducible processes, and that a small e-perturbation is such that it ”unites” these processes into m separate irreducible processes. Then another small e2-perturbation is such that it “unites” these latter processes into a single irreducible process. The present paper is organized as follows: In Section 2, we formulate the singular perturbation of order 2. In Section 3, we give explicitly the limit Markov Control Problem (limit MCP), that is entirely different from the original unperturbed MDP, which forms an appropriate asymptotic approximation to a whole family of perturbed problems. Thus only the single limit MCP needs to be solved

Perturbation theory for semi-Markov control problems

In earlier work, the authors considered the perturbation of systems undergoing Markov processes in which the times between two consecutive decision time points were equidistant. They now consider perturbations of processes for which the times between transition are random variables. These are called semi-Markov processes

Perturbation and stability theory for Markov control problems

A unified approach to the asymptotic analysis of a Markov decision process disturbed by an ε-additive perturbation is proposed. Irrespective of whether the perturbation is regular or singular, the underlying control problem that needs to be understood is the limit Markov control problem. The properties of this problem are the subject of this study

Trainee characteristics and barriers towards the conclusion of a distance course

Esta pesquisa foi subdivida em dois estudos: o Estudo 1 objetivou a construção e validação de escala de Barreiras Pessoais à Conclusão do Curso (N=541). O Estudo 2 verificou o poder de explicação de variáveis antecedentes de características de clientela - dados demográficos - sobre barreiras pessoais à conclusão de um curso a distância. O estudo foi realizado junto ao SEBRAE e constituiu da avaliação do curso Iniciando um Pequeno Grande Negócio - IPGN. A coleta foi realizada via web, por meio de instrumentos digitalizados e hospedados na internet, e ocorreu em duas etapas: a primeira com evadidos, contendo questões abertas sobre motivos de evasão; a segunda, após o curso, aplicou o instrumento de barreiras pessoais à conclusão do curso para os evadidos das turmas. O instrumento apresentou índices psicométricos satisfatórios. Os resultados das análises de regressão múltipla padrão tiveram baixo poder explicativo.This research was subdivided into two studies: Study 1 aimed at the development and validation of the Personal Barriers towards the Conclusion of a Course scale (N=541). In Study 2, the aim was at verifying the explanation of variables of trainee characteristics in personal barriers towards the conclusion of a distance course. This study, in cooperation with SEBRAE, is part of the assessment of the IPGN course. The data was collected on the web, by digitalized instruments and hosted on internet and has been made in two stages: the first with drop outs, containing open questions on the reason why they were quitting the course; the second, after the course, the personal barrier instrument was used at the end of the course with who had dropped out. The instrument presented satisfactory psychometrical indexes. The results of standard multiple regression analyses had a low explicatory power

Confirmatory factor analysis of a scale for impact of training at work

Impacto do treinamento no trabalho é o principal indicador da efetividade de ações de treinamento no nível individual. Nos modelos de avaliação de treinamento impacto é um indicador de mudança do comportamento no cargo. A delimitação de conceitos similares, como transferência de aprendizagem, e o teste desses construtos tornam-se relevantes para a pesquisa na área. Estc estudo tem como objetivo testar a estrutura empírica de um instrumento de impacto do treinamento no trabalho por meio de modelagem por equações estruturais. Participaram do estudo 2.966 funcionários de sete organizações, divididos em três sub-amostras. Os resultados das análises sugeriram ré-especificações do modelo hipotético, e a análise cruzada da estrutura foi corroborada nas três sub-amostras. Desta forma, conclui-se que existe a necessidade de aprimoramento da medida. Entretanto, a proposta conceitual de impacto do treinamento no trabalho foí corroborada.Training impact at work ís the main indícator 01' traíníng elfectiveness at the individual Ievel, In thc training cvaluation modcls, impact is a mcasure of behavior change on the job, Thc conceptual delimitation 01' similar constructs, as transler of learning, ís importam to research. The main objective of thís study were to test the ernpirical structure of the training impaci ai work 's scale with a couíirmarory factor analysis and the adequacy 01' the construct. In this study, participated 2.966 workcrs of scvcn organlzatíons, dividcd in thrcc sub-sarnplcs. Thc rcsults indicatcd modcl rnodifications, and the analysis was corroborated on the three sub-samples, Thus, the measurement should be improved. However, the conceptual proposition 01' trainíng impacr at work was corroborated

Impacto de treinamento no trabalho via Internet

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo testar um modelo reduzido de avaliação de Impacto de Treinamento no Trabalho. Foram realizados dois estudos: (1) Construção e validação estatística de cinco instrumentos de medida: Escalas de Estratégias de Aprendizagem, Reação aos Procedimentos Instrucionais; Reação ao Desempenho do Tutor, Falta de Suporte à Transferência e Impacto em Profundidade: (2) Análise do relacionamento entre as variáveis preditoras referentes às Características da Clientela, Reações ao Treinamento, Falta de Suporte à Transferência e à variável-critério Impacto do Treinamento no Trabalho. As respostas dos participantes às escalas foram submetidas a análises exploratórias dos componentes principais, análise fatorial, de consistência interna, análises de regressão múltipla padrão e stepwise. No Estudo 1, todos os instrumentos apresentaram índices psicométricos satisfatórios. No Estudo 2, as variáveis explicativas de Impacto do Treinamento no Trabalho foram: Falta de Suporte, Estratégias Cognitivas e Comportamentais, Elaboração de um Plano de Negócio e Reação aos Procedimentos. Neste artigo, são discutidas algumas implicações desses resultados. __________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis research has had as a goal to test a redueed model of evaluation of Work Training Impaet. Two studies have been done: (I) Construction and Validating Statisties of five measure instruments: Seales of Learning Strategies, Reaction to Instructional Proceedings and lo the Tutor Performance. Lack of Support to Transference and Deep Impact; (2) To analyse the relationship between the predicts variables referred to lhe Customer 's Characteristics, Reactions lo Training, Lack of Support lo Transference and the variable criteria Work Training Impact. The attendants answers to the scales have been submitted to exploiting analyse, of the main components, factorial analyse, of internaI consistenee, analyses of patterned multiple regression and stepwise. In the Study 1, all the instruments showed satisfactory psychometrics results. In the Study 2. the explainable variables of Work Training Impact 1vere: Lack of Support, Cognitive and Behaviourist Strategies, Elaboration of a Business Plan. Reaction to the Proceedings. Some ofthe implications of theses results are discussed in thispaper