Ray J. Tsai

Bio: Ray J. Tsai is an academic researcher from St. Cloud State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Knowledge process outsourcing & Supply chain. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 8 publications receiving 3052 citations.

What drives a successful e-Learning? An empirical investigation of the critical factors influencing learner satisfaction

Abstract: E-learning is emerging as the new paradigm of modern education. Worldwide, the e-learning market has a growth rate of 35.6%, but failures exist. Little is known about why many users stop their online learning after their initial experience. Previous research done under different task environments has suggested a variety of factors affecting user satisfaction with e-Learning. This study developed an integrated model with six dimensions: learners, instructors, courses, technology, design, and environment. A survey was conducted to investigate the critical factors affecting learners' satisfaction in e-Learning. The results revealed that learner computer anxiety, instructor attitude toward e-Learning, e-Learning course flexibility, e-Learning course quality, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and diversity in assessments are the critical factors affecting learners' perceived satisfaction. The results show institutions how to improve learner satisfaction and further strengthen their e-Learning implementation.

Offshore Outsourcing: Current and Future Effects on American it Industry

Abstract: Outsourcing has taken on new meaning for the American IT industry. Although most companies have outsourced selected IT projects and functions for many years, the growth in offshore outsourcing has exploded in size as companies have sought lower labor costs and other benefits. This article synthesizes recent published reports to provide an overview of the status of offshore IT outsourcing and some current and projected effects on the American IT industry. [Editor's Note:for discussions of management issues associated with offshore outsourcing, see the Summer 2004 issue ofInformation Systems Management.]

An Integrative Model to Predict the Continuance Use of Electronic Learning Systems: Hints for Teaching

Abstract: There is an increased expectation about the useful ness of electronic learning (e-learning) to complement or substitute traditional face-to-face learning. However, the growth rate of the e-learning market has not properly reflected the high expectation. Researchers began to direct their attention to the assessment of e-learning effectiveness in order to solve the issue. However, little has been known about why some users stop adopting e-learning after their initial experience. Our work focuses on investigating the continuance usage problems in the field of information technology. A theoretical framework is proposed to address the continuance issue. This integrative framework makes three major contributions. First, it integrates the frameworks of computer self-efficacy (CSE) and the expectation-confirmation model (ECM). Second, it theorizes the causal relationship between the factors of perceived usefulness, confirmation, satisfaction , and information system (IS) continuance in the e-learning context. Finally, it explains users ' online learning behaviors through a field survey. The results indicate that, in the context of learning conceptual k nowledge in undergraduate education, there are significant relationships among the CSE of online learners, their perceived usefulness, confirmation, and satisfaction levels.

Educational Research: Competencies for Analysis and Application:

Abstract: to many, however, it constantly appears as an instructional problem. The final two chapters serve as excellent summary statements. Chapter 13 emphasizes the application of previous text material to the classroom situation. Of great significance is the author's discussion of commonly defined independent, dependent, and moderator variables. The final chapter focuses on evaluation in the overall sense, particularly as it relates to programs of study. The principles of measurement and research design are applied to the evaluation process through several ex-

A Theoretical Integration of User Satisfaction and Technology Acceptance

Abstract: In general, perceptions of information systems (IS) success have been investigated within two primary research streams--the user satisfaction literature and the technology acceptance literature. These two approaches have been developed in parallel and have not been reconciled or integrated. This paper develops an integrated research model that distinguishes beliefs and attitudes about the system (i.e., object-based beliefs and attitudes) from beliefs and attitudes about using the system (i.e., behavioral beliefs and attitudes) to build the theoretical logic that links the user satisfaction and technology acceptance literature. The model is then tested using a sample of 465 users from seven different organizations who completed a survey regarding their use of data warehousing software. The proposed model was supported, providing preliminary evidence that the two perspectives can and should be integrated. The integrated model helps build the bridge from design and implementation decisions to system characteristics (a core strength of the user satisfaction literature) to the prediction of usage (a core strength of the technology acceptance literature).

What drives a successful e-Learning? An empirical investigation of the critical factors influencing learner satisfaction

Abstract: E-learning is emerging as the new paradigm of modern education. Worldwide, the e-learning market has a growth rate of 35.6%, but failures exist. Little is known about why many users stop their online learning after their initial experience. Previous research done under different task environments has suggested a variety of factors affecting user satisfaction with e-Learning. This study developed an integrated model with six dimensions: learners, instructors, courses, technology, design, and environment. A survey was conducted to investigate the critical factors affecting learners' satisfaction in e-Learning. The results revealed that learner computer anxiety, instructor attitude toward e-Learning, e-Learning course flexibility, e-Learning course quality, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and diversity in assessments are the critical factors affecting learners' perceived satisfaction. The results show institutions how to improve learner satisfaction and further strengthen their e-Learning implementation.

Learning styles and pedagogy in post-16 learning: a systematic and critical review

Abstract: Learning style instruments are widely used but not enough is known about their reliability and validity and their impact on pedagogy in post-16 learning. This report documents work from a project commissioned by the Learning and Skills Development Agency (LSDA) to carry out an extensive review of research on post-16 learning styles, to evaluate the main models of learning styles, and to discuss the implications of learning styles for post-16 teaching and learning. The following research questions were addressed: What models of learning styles are influential and potentially influential? What empirical evidence is there to support the claims made for these models? What are the broad implications for pedagogy of these models? What empirical evidence is there that models of learning styles have an impact on students’ learning? The project identified the range of models that are available and influential or potentially influential in research and practice, located these models within identifiable ‘families’ of ideas about learning styles, evaluated the theories, claims and applications of these models, with a particular focus on evaluating the authors’ claims for reliability and validity, evaluated the claims made for the pedagogical implications of the selected models of learning styles, identified what gaps there are in current knowledge and what future research is needed in this area, and made recommendations and drew conclusions about the research field as a whole. In conclusion, the implications for pedagogy are drawn out and recommendations and conclusions are offered for practitioners, policymakers and the research community. The report concludes that it matters fundamentally which model is chosen. A second report (indexed at TD/TNC 79.72) discusses the appeal of learning styles as well as offering an overview of ways in which political and institutional contexts in the learning and skills sector affect the ways that learning styles might be put into practice.

Understanding e-learning continuance intention: An extension of the Technology Acceptance Model

Abstract: Based on the expectancy disconfirmation theory, this study proposes a decomposed technology acceptance model in the context of an e-learning service. In the proposed model, the perceived performance component is decomposed into perceived quality and perceived usability. A sample of 172 respondents took part in this study. The results suggest that users' continuance intention is determined by satisfaction, which in turn is jointly determined by perceived usefulness, information quality, confirmation, service quality, system quality, perceived ease of use and cognitive absorption.