Usability and Acceptance of E-learning in Statistics Education, Based on the Compendium Platform

E-learning systems, also known as a virtual learning environments (VLE’s), are systems that use modern information and communication technology to support education and training efforts. In this paper we present the evaluation of a newly developed Compendium Platform (CP) that can be used to create educational applications that support effective learning of statistics and related analytical skills. Using the web-enabled CP, students are empowered to easily archive, exchange and reproduce statistical computations. The CP was applied in three statistics courses. Based on behavioral concepts from the Technology Acceptance Model (usefulness, ease of use and future usage intention) and object-based beliefs about the e-learning environment (information and system qualities), we tested an integrated and predictive e-learning acceptance model. Using a sample of 200 students, we report that the CP was well accepted and that the majority of our hypotheses are confirmed. System quality has a considerable impact on ease of use and does directly influence the students’ intention to use the CP in the future. The effect of information quality on intention is fully mediated by relative advantage. Relative advantage was used as an alternative to usefulness and is clearly a better predictor of usage intention. A detailed analysis indicates that the attractiveness of the user interface, the presence of appropriate search options and the availability of sufficient relevant information are critical success factors of the CP’s acceptance.