Social Network Sites Impact on Learning: Extending the TAM 3 Model to Assess Academic Performance in Higher Education

Examining the capabilities of social network sites in teaching and learning can be useful in higher education and can help improve students’ performance. This study investigated the factors affecting acceptance and educational use of social network sites and the effect of this use on academic performance by using the Technology Acceptance Model3. Four hundred agricultural students participated in the study survey, and data were analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling. Results show that the subjective norm, image, job relevance, and output quality were the predictors of perceived usefulness. Self-efficacy, anxiety, playfulness, and perceived enjoyment were also predictors of perceived ease of use. Findings suggest that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use had significant effects on behavioural intention to use, and this last variable had a significant effect on actual use. Educational use of social network sites also had a strong positive impact on academic performance.