Student perception of e-learning in tertiary education : an investigation of Liaw’s (2008) Three-Tier Technology Use Model

The e-learning effectiveness scale developed by Liaw (2008) was administered to 157 University students (26 males and 132 females). A multiple regression was conducted, and results were compared to Liaw's (2008) Three-Tier Technology Use Model (3-TUM). The discussions of two focus groups were thematically analysed to investigate perceptions further. Results supported the 3-TUM model, though self-efficacy seemed to exert more influence than Liaw suggested. E-learning was found to be generally effective and bivariate correlations revealed a positive linear relationship between internet/e-learning experience and perceived effectiveness. An independent samples r-tcst indicated no gender difference in perceptions of e-learning.