Satisfaction and acceptance with learning management systems

More and more often, universities make the decision to implement integrated learning management systems. Nevertheless, these technological developments are not realized without any trouble, and are achieved with more or less success and user satisfaction (Valenduc, 2000). It is why the presented study aims at identifying the factors influencing learning management system satisfaction and acceptance among students. The Technology Acceptance model created by Wixom and Todd (2005) studies information system acceptance through user satisfaction, and has the benefit of incorporating several ergonomic factors. More precisely, the survey, based on this model, investigates behavioral attitudes towards the system, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, as well as system satisfaction, information satisfaction and also incorporates two groups of factors affecting separately the two types of satisfaction. The study was conducted on a representative sample of 593 students from a Brussels university which had recently implemented an integrated learning management system. The results show on one hand, the impact of system reliability, accessibility, flexibility, lay-out and functionalities offered on system satisfaction. And on the other hand, the impact of information accuracy, intelligibility, relevance, exhaustiveness and actualization on information satisfaction. In conclusion, the results indicate the applicability of the theoretical model with learning management systems, and also highlight the importance of each aforementioned factor for a successful implantation of such a system in universities.

Health networks: Actors, professional relationships, and controversies

In recent years international policies have aimed to stimulate the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the field of health care. Belgium has also been affected by these developments and, for example, health electronic regional networks ("HNs") are established. Thanks to a qualitative case study we have explored the implementation of such innovations (HN) to better understand how health professionals collaborate through the HN and how the HN affect their relationships. Within the HNs studied a common good unites the actors: the continuity of care for a better quality of care. However behind this objective of continuity of care other individual motivations emerge. Some controversies need also to be resolved in order to achieve cooperative relationships. HNs have notably to take national developments into account. These developments raise the question of the control of medical knowledge and medical practice. Professional issues, and not only practical changes, are involved in these innovations. © 2008 The authors and IOS Press. All rights reserved.