What Makes university students use cloud-based e-learning?: Case study of KMITL students

Cloud computing technology has been influential in overcoming problems in e-learning systems, such as the lack of scalability and storage limitation. Therefore, a framework for applying cloud computing on e-learning systems has been prepared. However, to develop a cloud-based e-learning system that matches well with the learners´ needs and solves the current problems, it is important to know the learners´ requirements. This research evaluated the key significant factors required for university students to use Cloud-based e-learning based on a research model, including the theory of motivation, and characteristics of cloud computing. In total, 250 students from King Mongkut´s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang were surveyed by questionnaire. Data analysis was performed by factor and multiple regression analyses. Overall the factors that influence the intention to use cloud-based e-learning were identified as the availability, collaboration, cloud-based e-learning notifications, intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation. However, these account for only 62.9% of the usage intention, and so other factor(s) still remain to be determined.