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Student Perceptions of Cloud Computing Effectiveness in Higher Education

Conference Paper · October 2015

DOI: 10.1109/CSE.2015.36

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 2015 IEEE 18th International Conference on Computational Science and Engineering

Student Perceptions of Cloud Computing

Effectiveness in Higher Education
Sadaf Ashtari Ali Eydgahi
College of Technology College of Technology
Eastern Michigan University Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, MI, United States Ypsilanti, MI, United States
sashtari@[Link] aeydgahi@[Link]

Abstract— Cloud computing technology use in higher computing is increasingly becoming popular in the
education institutions is rapidly expanding and becoming educational environments as it provides low-cost
a more integral part of the collegiate experience. This services to students and university staff [2]. However,
expansion of the use of cloud applications comes with it is necessary to consider the individual characteristics
some significant learning and adoption challenges to the of the users and their perceptions about using the cloud
end users along with the technical advantages that allow computing technology in order to maximize the
greater accessibility and ease of use. The influence of benefits of its usage.
individual user perceptions toward these technologies is
an issue that merits further investigation. Several This study investigates the relationship between
technology acceptance models have demonstrated some some of the individual factors such as information
degree of success in predicting adoption behaviors technology self-efficacy, computer anxiety, perceived
utilizing individual user traits and beliefs. However, ease of use, and the users’ perception of the usefulness
there have been limited investigations of variables after and effectiveness of cloud-based applications that are
the technology has been implemented and used. This known to impact technology adoption. Also, different
paper focuses on the associations between variables cloud computing tools that are utilized by the
identified in the literature that are considered to be participants are evaluated from the perspective of its
influencing use and perceptions of technology for
effectiveness in support of their learning experience.
undergraduate students of technology at a mid-sized
university in Southeast Michigan. The results
Additionally, the most popular cloud applications that
statistically present significant correlations between each are used by the surveyed undergraduate students are
measured variable and support the interaction between identified and insights into the students’ reasons for the
perceived ease of use, computer anxiety, computer self- use of these cloud-based applications are provided.
efficacy, and internet self-efficacy with the perceived
usefulness of cloud applications in a higher education
II. CLOUD COMPUTING
setting. It is difficult to define cloud computing by a single
term as there are many debates and challenges by
Keywords—cloud computing; higher education; researchers about a standard definition for it. While the
effectiveness; self-efficacy; computer anxiety debates for final definition continue to evolve with the
advancement of the technology, there are some
I. INTRODUCTION
characteristics of cloud computing that seem to be
Currently, cloud computing is developing into a common to most of the definitions in the literature.
flexible, collaborative, cost effective and scalable The similarities between cloud computing and other
computational approach that is quickly being adopted types of high performance computing (HPC) such as
by both public and private organizations. The use of cluster computing, grid computing, peer-to-peer
cloud-based applications is substantially increasing computing, service-oriented computing and market-
among higher education organizations. The most oriented computing add complications to the efforts for
recent cloud computing tracking poll [1] has reported creating a standardized cloud computing definition and
that 43% of organizations in higher education have methodology.
implemented or maintained cloud computing in 2012.
This number represents a 10% increase from the 2011 The National Institute of Standards and
poll data and is expected to continue to rise in the Technology (NIST) defines cloud computing as a
coming years. model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand
network access to a shared pool of configurable
The process of learning is one of the most basic computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage,
human characteristics that tends to easily adopt and applications and services) that can be rapidly
utilize technology. In recent years, the new techniques provisioned and released with minimal management
and technological tools have continuously been effort or service provider interaction [3]. In [4], cloud
implemented in educational systems. The use of cloud computing is referred to as a new operation than a new

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DOI 10.1109/CSE.2015.36
technology. Furthermore, cloud computing is actually a B. Cloud Computing for Education
set of existing technologies that are operating The advantages that cloud computing can provide
businesses in a different way [4]. In [5], cloud to educators and students make it an attractive option
computing is defined as a convergence of grid in university environments. The ability to
computing, utility computing and software-as a-service collaboratively share, edit, process, and store huge
(SaaS), which is a new concept of cloud computing. In amounts of data have obvious applications within the
[6], the design of next generation data centers is research and educational communities. Another
introduced as an objective for cloud technology distinct advantage to users of cloud computing is the
application. It is argued that by intentionally designing availability and ease of access using their own
data centers as networks of virtual services (hardware, equipment, mobile devices, university equipment, or
database, user-interface, application logic), users could some combination of these options at whatever time or
gain access to their applications from everywhere. place they find most beneficial.
A. Cloud Computing Deployment Models In [9], one of the main characteristics of cloud
In [3], four distinct deployment models for cloud computing is identified as economies of scale. This
technology applications namely private cloud, feature assures cloud services could be delivered at a
community cloud, public cloud and hybrid cloud are lower cost when compared with in-house mainframe
described. Based on [8], a private cloud is operated computers, networks, and computer infrastructure that
solely within a single organization and that either the are expected to be provided by the educational
organization or a third party could manage the institutions. As stated in [10], applying information
infrastructure. Concerns about security issues are one technology tools could provide access to more
of the main reasons for choosing a private cloud resources in a global scale and as a result could
deployment model in an organization [8]. In an increase the quality of learning. Additionally, the use
academic setting, the ability to build a private cloud to of information technology resources, including cloud
keep proprietary materials secured and to facilitate an computing, could reduce the cost of resource usages
online educational community is another advantage of and ease the sustainability of education.
a private cloud deployment.
Learning needs of a new generation of students are
In community cloud, several organizations jointly different from their predecessors [11]. As a result, they
use the same cloud infrastructure and a third party or favor increased use of technology and its successful
one of the organizations could host the infrastructure. applications. The cloud computing applications can
The advantages of a shared cloud include minimizing benefit students by providing them with quick
loss or failure risks by spreading the resources and connections to the core materials and with each other.
decreasing costs by utilizing shared scalable resources. According to [11], cloud computing can provide higher
At the same time, to be successful, sharing resources educations with the following benefits:
requires a higher degree of agreement and cooperation,
which can be a challenge among higher education • allowing for the use of the users own personal
institutions that are each trying to best promote their workspace;
own needs and may actually be viewed as competitors • facilitating interactive teaching and learning
to one another. communities;
• availability of large amounts of processing
A public cloud is the most common form of cloud
power;
deployment with which students, instructors or faculty
have experience. In a public cloud deployment, the • requiring no backup due to shared cloud storage.
service provider has full ownership of the
infrastructure. Many of the most popular cloud services The potential gains that cloud computing can bring
fit into the public cloud deployment model. These to the higher learning environments are numerous
services include Amazon EC2, Amazon S3, Google while the potential risks include the concerns about
Drive, and Microsoft One Drive. security, privacy, and issues related to the reliability
and performance of the technology [12]. Cloud
The final deployment model, hybrid cloud, is a
computing can also provide a digital learning
combination of two or more of the other cloud
environment, personal portfolio, and web-based self-
deployment models (private, community, or public)
that aims to address the limitation of each approach by service options for students and faculty alike. In [12],
combining different aspects of each model. As a the benefits of cloud computing for students are
general rule, hybrid cloud deployments have more described as:
flexibility and range of use than either public or private • ubiquitous availability of online applications;
clouds. • flexibility to create structured learning
environments;
• supporting mobile learning;

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 • scalability. User beliefs about the degree to which using the
technology will enhance their experience or
Eastern Michigan University (EMU) began using performance relate to the perceived usefulness of the
web-based online course materials and class interfaces application. The perceived ease of use relates to the
in 1999. This effort was on the margins of cloud users belief that using the technology or application in
computing, but as an early adopter, EMU continued to question will be free of effort. The general
expand the online, and eventually cloud supported, determinants of perceived ease of use are addressed in
course support applications and resources. Each [19], which argues several anchors related to
successive version added more functionality and relied individuals’ general beliefs such as computer self-
more heavily on cloud computing to meet the needs of efficacy, computer anxiety, computer playfulness and
the largely commuter student body. The cloud-based perceptions of external control or facilitating
educational application of EMU-Online was conditions could form the early perceptions for ease of
implemented in 2010 and by 2014 became the sole use of a system.
source of course information utilized by all students
“TAM theorizes that the effects of external
enrolled in classes. EMU-Online provides students
variables (e.g., system characteristics, development
with access to class email functions, shared documents,
process, training) on intention to use are mediated by
threaded discussions, and gradebook access in a single
perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use” [20].
secured web-portal. In 2014, EMU enabled direct
“According to TAM, perceived usefulness is also
student access to Google cloud suite (Apps, Drive, and
influenced by perceived ease of use because, other
Gmail) in both the student records portal and the
things being equal, the easier the system is to use the
EMU-Online shell. Currently, the university is
more useful it can be” [20].
transitioning from EMU-Online to a new cloud-based
application called Canvas, which provides similar In this paper, we identify the specific components
functionalities to its predecessor, but with a simplified of the TAM and determinants of perceived ease of use
user interface. that would be the most influential on user experience
of cloud computing in a higher education environment.
III. THEORY AND HYPOTHESES
The theoretical framework used in this study is
There are numerous competing models for presented in Fig. 1. As user behaviors had already been
analyzing the implementation or adoption behaviors of well established prior to their participation in this
users of new technologies. The Technology study, we identified perceived usefulness of cloud
Organization Environment (TOE) model [13] was applications as the dependent variable and computer
developed to analyze IT adoption by firms with an self-efficacy, internet self-efficacy, computer anxiety
emphasis on the organizational characteristics and and perceived cloud ease of use as independent
environment in which the technology is to be variables. The perceived usefulness is conceptualized
deployed. The Human Organization Technology Fit as the users’ perceptions and feelings about the
(HOT-Fit) model [14] was proposed as an alternate usefulness and effectiveness of cloud applications in
structure for health information system technology the context of their educational experience.
adoption focusing on the interaction of the user,
organization and the application. The HOT-Fit model
is a combination of the Information System Success
model [15] and IT-Organization Fit model [16]. Computer Self-efficacy
Another influential model in the field is the
Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which looks at IT-Self efficacy Computer Anxiety
the interaction of perceptions of usefulness, ease of
use, and attitudes to predict technology use [17]. The Internet Self-efficacy
original TAM model is one of the most widely used,
validated, and researched models of technology
acceptance in the field of information technology [2].
According to the TAM model, user acceptance is an
important factor for successful adoption and utilization
Perceived Effectiveness of
of new technologies including the cloud-based Cloud Applications
applications currently in use in the field of higher
education. In [17]-[18], it is suggested that an
individual intention to use a technology, which relates Perceived Cloud Perceived Cloud
Ease of Use Usefulness
to user acceptance is determined primarily by two
beliefs of perceived usefulness of the application and
its perceived ease of use. Fig. 1. Theoretical Framework

186
 The main goal of this project was to determine cloud computing services relate to tasks on the cloud
whether the variables that are influential in technology or internet, it was determined that splitting the
acceptance behaviors remain the same as modifiers of technology self-efficacy scale into component
perceptions of usefulness in continued interactions. subscales of computer self-efficacy and internet self-
Correlation analysis was utilized for determination of efficacy would be a more meaningful examination of
these variables. the user perceptions.
We contend, based on applications of the In [27], an instrument as the extension of computer
theoretical principles of social cognitive theory [21] self-efficacy scale is developed, which focuses in the
and other work in this field such as the TAM model, World Wide Web domain and the internet. The internet
that the factors which influence acceptance and self-efficacy scale is multidimensional and measures
implementation of new technology remain relevant the capabilities of the end user in interacting with the
even after its acceptance. These relevant factors may internet. Also, it adds that the function of end-user self-
contribute to ongoing perceptions of the usefulness of efficacy has more impact on technology use than
the technological applications. If this holds true for aspects of how the technology is designed.
cloud computing, as it has for several other
technological applications, then this may allow some B. Computer Anxiety
insight into the areas that could be leveraged to help In [28], it is suggested that cloud computing is one
users gain more confidence, skill, self-efficacy, and of the popular technologies of our time, but it is also
ultimately improve their educational experiences using the one that elicits the most fear among users. Cloud
cloud applications. computing users have greater safety and security
concerns compared with users of other technologies
A. Computer/Internet Self Efficacy
[29]. Also, it was recommended in [29] that the cloud
Both the TAM and determinants of Perceived Ease platforms should devote more effort to convincing
of Use (PEOU) framework designs identify PEOU as a users of the safety of the applications. Based on [28],
critical factor for technology acceptance [17]-[20],[22]. the fear of cloud computing has left many users
External factors contribute to the perceptions involved
confused about their options and in a state of hesitation
with technology applications and individual factors.
The psychological factors and individual differences as participants indicated that they did not trust the
also influence how PEOU ratings for technology are cloud to keep their information safe and that perceived
perceived. Computer self-efficacy and computer risk resulted in fear of use. It was suggested in [26] that
anxiety are two factors that have been found [19] to the major factors influencing apprehension relating to
have an impact on individual’s use of new technology. cloud computing concerns are related to:
• privacy;
According to [23], self-efficacy is a person's belief • fears of losing access to the data;
in his or her ability to do a task. In [24], computer self-
efficacy was defined as an individual judgment of • unauthorized access and loss due to breaches of
one’s capability to use a computer. In [25], self- security.
efficacy was addressed with respect to information
technology use that “will continue to be a factor in our According to [30], computer anxiety was defined
choices about what technologies to adopt, how much to as a complex interplay of behavioral, emotional and
use them, and how much to persist in the face of attitudinal components. In [31], computer anxiety is a
obstacles to successful use of such technologies”. resistance to talking about computers or even thinking
Furthermore, self-efficacy is an important factor to about computers, fear or anxiety towards computers,
consider when determining whether students will adopt and hostile or aggressive thoughts about computers.
new technologies. It is concluded from [25] that the Based on [32], computer anxiety refers to negative
decision of students to use a new technology is more emotions and cognitions evoked in actual or imaginary
related to their own ability to use the technology than interactions with computer-based technology, which it
the benefits they may gain from its use. In [26], it was affects the utilization of computer-based technology
demonstrated that successful or positive experiences and performance on tasks that involve the use of
with similar technologies may increase the self- computers.
efficacy of users for related technologies. C. Hypotheses
While we contend that the skills and experiences The following hypotheses are considered in this
using a personal computer are similar to those study:
necessary to successfully adapt cloud-based
computing, there are sufficient differences between H1. Computer self-efficacy is positively associated
cloud computing and desktop based applications that with the perceived usefulness of cloud-based
require additional factors to be considered when applications.
evaluating user self-efficacy. Since the majority of

187
 H2. Internet self-efficacy is positively associated • Computer Self-Efficacy;
with the perceived usefulness of cloud-based • Internet Self-Efficacy;
applications. • Computer Anxiety.
H3. Information technology self-efficacy is
positively associated with the perceived The scales for measuring the constructs are
usefulness of cloud-based applications. developed by utilizing items from previously validated
scales so that they are more suitable for the cloud
H4. Computer anxiety is negatively associated with computing applications. The aggregated Information
the perceived usefulness of cloud-based
Technology Self-Efficacy scale consists of the items
applications.
from the Internet Self-Efficacy and Computer Self-
H5. Perceived ease of use is positively associated Efficacy Likert-type scales.
with the perceived usefulness of cloud-based
applications. The items of computer anxiety Likert-type scale
used in this study are modifications of the items from
H6. Internet self-efficacy has a stronger association Computer Anxiety Rating Scale [32]. The Internet
to the perceived usefulness of cloud-based Self-Efficacy Scale [27] was used to develop the
applications than computer self-efficacy. Internet Self-Efficacy items and the Computer Self-
H7a. The combined scale of Information Technology Efficacy Scale [33] contributed to the Computer Self-
Self-efficacy, which is comprised of Computer Efficacy items. Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived
Self-efficacy and Internet Self-efficacy has a Usefulness items were drawn in part from the
stronger association with the perceived Technology Acceptance Model Scale [17].
usefulness of cloud-based applications than the
Conceptually, the individual characteristic scales of
computer self-efficacy scale alone.
Internet Self-Efficacy Scale, Computer Self-Efficacy,
[Link] combined scale of Information Technology Internet Self-Efficacy, and Computer Anxiety are
Self-efficacy, which is comprised of Computer separated from the Perceived Ease of Use and
Self-efficacy and Internet Self-efficacy has a Perceived Usefulness scales. The individual
stronger association with the perceived characteristic constructs are measured using a 5-point
usefulness of cloud-based applications than the Likert-type scales ranging from 1 = “Disagree” to 5 =
internet self-efficacy scale alone. “Agree”. In an effort to better capture directionality of
decisions, the Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived
IV. METHODOLOGY Usefulness Likert-type scales are given a larger 7-point
In this study, the definition of cloud computing is range from 1 = “Strongly Disagree” to 7 = “Strongly
close to the one proposed by the NIST [3], in which Agree”.
those aspects that all cloud computing applications Face validity of the measures is addressed by
must have in common are considered. Thus, cloud having two full professor faculty members with field
computing in this study refers to the shared expertise review the items and scales.
applications and services that the surveyed students
were using via the internet to manage application C. Data Collection Procedure
activities or to access data stored on shared servers. The population selected for this study was
A. Sample registered students of two sections of a freshman
course, Introduction to Engineering Technology, at
The sample is limited to undergraduate students EMU. A link to the survey was posted in the
enrolled in the College of Technology at Eastern announcements section of the course management
Michigan University. The participants are from two application at EMU-Online. The survey was
sections of an introduction to engineering technology administered using Google Drive, responses were
course. A total of 40 students were invited to unidentified and were exported into Microsoft Excel
participate in the survey. The response rate was for statistical analysis.
100.0% (n = 40). None of the surveyed students are
excluded from the analysis. D. Statistical Analysis
B. Measures The descriptive statistics were reviewed using
SPSS v22. Exploratory data analysis was conducted to
The survey consists of five demographic items and identify trends and potential findings. Nonparametric
thirty six Likert-type items, which are divided into the correlational analysis was performed on each of the
following six Likert scales: Likert-type scales and on demographic items.
• Cloud-Computing Usage; Cronbach alpha calculations were reviewed for each
• Perceived Usefulness; scale.
• Perceived Ease of Use;

188
 V. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION C. Use of Cloud Technologies
A. Desctiptive Statistics As it is expected of students enrolled in a
technology program, all participants had at least some
Participants’ age ranged from 18 to 28 with a mean experience with cloud computing. A 97.5% of
age of 20.475 and a standard deviation of 2.8 years. participants (n=39) indicated that they are utilizing the
Most of the students were male (87.5%, n=35), either cloud-based university class management application,
Freshman (60.0%, n=24) or Sophomore (22.5%, n= 9), EMU-Online.
and listed their ethnicity as either White (47.5%, n=19)
or African-American (35.0%, n=14). The demographic The majority of the students (97.5%, n=39) were
data of the participants is displayed in Table I. utilizing at least two forms of cloud technology and
87.5% were using three or more applications. Most of
TABLE I. DEMOGRAPHICS OF SAMPLE the participants had been using the internet for more
Gender N Percent than 7 years (92.5%, n=37) and all had used the
Male 35 87.5% internet for more than 4 years (n=40). In Fig. 2,
summary of the participants’ use of cloud computing
Female 5 12.5%
applications is presented. The reasons given by
Age participants for using cloud applications in order of
18-19 Years 23 57.7% frequency were:
20-21 Years 6 15.0% • 85.0% spoke about accessibility (n=34);
22-23 Years 6 15.0% • 80.0% noted the ability to share data (n =32);
24-25 Years 1 2.5%
• 57.5% mentioned the low cost (n = 23);
• 57.5% liked the ability to back up files;
26-27 Years 3 7.5%
• 50.0% favored the large storage capacity.
28 Years or More 1 2.5%
Student Status A few participants responded to an item that was
White 19 47.5% asking about the reasons that make them not use cloud
services. The most common answers involved
African-American 14 35.0%
concerns about data privacy, fear of losing data, and
Asian 5 12.5% difficulty of application use.
Other 1 5.0%
Major at EMU
Mechanical Engineering 23 57.5%
Computer Engineering 9 22.5%
Electrical Engineering 4 10.0%
Product Design 2 5.0%
Accounting 1 2.5%
Physical Engineering 1 2.5%

B. Analysis of the Results

Figure 2. Percentage of participants using cloud applications
The Cronbach’s alpha was run on each scale as an
indication of internal consistency and as a test of the D. Hypothesis Testing
reliability of each of the Likert-type scales. As shown
in Table II, the Cronbach  for each scale is ranging Correlational analysis using a Spearman rank-order
from 0.82 to 0.96, which exceeds the recommended correlation was performed to determine whether
acceptability value of 0.70. significant associations exist between the variables
being examined. This information is presented in
TABLE II. CRONBACH ALPHA TESTING Table III. A strong and significant (p < 0.01)
relationship between the Computer Self-Efficacy scale
Variables Cronbach Items and the user’s Perception of the Usefulness of cloud
Alpha applications (rs (37) = 0.80) allows the rejection of the
Computer Anxiety 0.82 6
Computer Self-efficacy 0.92 6
null for Hypothesis 1. There is also a strongly positive
Internet Self-efficacy 0.85 6 association between Internet Self-Efficacy and
IT self-efficacy 0.92 12 Perceived Usefulness (rs (38) = 0.71, p < 0.01), so we are
Perceived Ease of Use 0.96 6
Perceived Usefulness 0.95 6

189
not able to reject Hypothesis 2. Hypothesis 3 predicted of technology at our university to determine whether
a positive correlation between Information Technology their focus on technology would likely cause them to
Self-Efficacy and the users’ Perceptions of the have a substantial level of experience with cloud
Usefulness of the cloud technology in use. As a computing. While we acknowledge this is a
correlation of 0.83 that is significantly beyond the p = preliminary study, our results suggest that among the
0.01 value is found (df=37), the null hypothesis is sampled population, the identified constructs in the
rejected for Hypothesis 3. TAM and determinants of Perceived Ease of Use
model [19] remain important in the evaluation of the
TABLE III. SPEARMAN RANK-ORDER CORRELATION technology long after its adoption.
Variables 1 2 3 4 5 The bulk of prior research in technology
acceptance have been limited to studies of business
Computer Anxiety
models or technology use prediction. This critical
Computer Self-efficacy -0.48 research has set the stage for the next direction of
Internet Self-efficacy -0.67 0.62
acceptance research. By using the variables shown to
have predictive qualities, researchers can begin to
IT Self-efficacy -0.64 0.92 0.85 examine the factors that influence continued use and
perceptions of the technologies in use. Using this
Perceived Ease of Use -0.55 0.8 0.79 0.86 approach, it is our hope that future technology related
Perceived Usefulness -0.55 0.8 0.71 0.83 0.93 research in the field of higher education be able to
identify factors that would lead to best practices and
timely interventions to improve student success.
Computer Anxiety was found to have statistically The cloud technologies are a combination of
significant negative correlations with each of the platform, software, and infrastructure services that go
independent variables and also with the Perceived beyond desktop computing and internet use. The
Usefulness (rs (37) = -0.55, p < 0.01). This supports results of this work suggest that a combined model
rejection of the null in Hypothesis 4. The theoretical drawing from different aspects of internet technology
model used suggests there is a very strong relationship will be more useful in further examinations of cloud
between Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived computing.
Usefulness (rs (38) =0.93) that is statistically significant
at a p value of .01. For this reason, the null for VI. LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH
Hypothesis 5 is rejected. The scales used in this study were developed from
To evaluate the hypotheses that deal with well-reviewed and stringently validated studies.
comparisons, Spearman rank-order correlations were However, they have not been validated in their current
run and the strength of significant associations were form. The Cronbach ’s found support their use, but a
compared at the p = 0.01 value. We failed to reject the more thorough validation of the scales is suggested for
null in Hypothesis 6 as we found that Computer Self- future research. The use of a small sample is another
Efficacy (rs (37) =0.80) had a slightly stronger limitation of this study. Drawing the sample from a
population that has prior experience of interacting with
association to Perceived Usefulness than Internet Self-
technology and has prior experience of operating the
Efficacy (rs (38) = 0.71).
utilized cloud applications could have influenced the
The seventh Hypothesis suggests that the combined strength of the associations.
scale for Information Technology Self-Efficacy would
By providing evaluation of the factors identified in
have a stronger association to Perceived Usefulness
predictive models of technology acceptance so that we
than either of the two component scales at the same p
could continue to influence longtime users’ perceptions
values (p < 0.01). The computed Information
of usefulness and desirability can expand our
Technology Self-Efficacy represents a stronger
understanding of the interaction between people and
correlation (rs (37) = 0.83) than either Computer Self-
technology.
Efficacy (rs (37) = 0.80) or Internet Self-Efficacy (rs (38) =
0.71). Thus, the null in Hypotheses 7a and 7b are It is our hope that through the study of these
rejected. The Significant associations are shown in factors, researchers be able to identify points of
Table III. leverage that can be used to improve the state of
technology use for users and organizations alike. This
E. Discussion
path of investigation may also lead to identification of
The primary goal of this study was to investigate best practices that can be implemented in technology
whether the constructs used to predict technology development and delivery that would improve the
acceptance remain important after the adaptation of the experience and utility of future cloud applications.
technology. For this reason, we considered cloud
computing applications among students in the college

190
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