Exposing the Technological Acceptance Model in Blended Learning for Undergraduate Agricultural Entrepreneurs

Blended learning is advantageous not just in the student education system, but it is also well-suited to entrepreneurship education. The technological acceptance model is a valuable tool for determining the impact of external factors on technology intention. This study aims to identify the factors influencing undergraduate entrepreneurs' intentions to adopt blended learning technology. By analyzing these factors through the lens of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), we can gain a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurs perceive, and approach blended learning. The study commenced at the University of Colombo Institute for Agro Technology and Rural Sciences in Hambantota, Sri Lanka as the survey research method. All undergraduate entrepreneurs in the institute who work in Sri Lanka's agriculture industry were considered for the study as a population. Data was obtained from the entire population using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Regarding perceived usefulness of blended learning technology, job relevance demonstrated the strongest association, followed by result demonstrability, output quality, image, subjective norm, relative advantage, trialability, compatibility, and observability. Perceived ease of use in blended learning technology showed a strong positive correlation with perceived enjoyment, as well as with factors such as instructor assistance, computer literacy, language proficiency, trialability, self-efficacy, independence, and interaction. Both perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of blended learning technologies were significant predictors of blended learning intention among undergraduate entrepreneurs, with a substantial positive relationship observed between the two. Additionally, blended learning intention was positively correlated with blended learning usage. This helps to design blended learning programmes that are not only successful but also easily adopted by agricultural entrepreneurs.