ANALYZING SOCIAL MEDIA USE IN TEFL VIA THE TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL IN INDONESIAN HIGHER EDUCATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

This survey study utilized an extended Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to understand factors affecting Social Media Use in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (SMU-TEFL) during the COVID-19 pandemic to help improve the integration of effective and efficient technology with traditional education methods. The initial survey instrument that was used was adapted from prior studies and was validated through content validity, piloted, and distributed to 287 EFL faculty members from ten Indonesian universities. Factor analyses (exploratory and confirmatory) were conducted to purify the instrument. Path analysis through Covariance-Based Structural Equation Modelling (CB-SEM) was used to assess correlations of the hypotheses which were supported by the Pearson correlation coefficient. The findings of the study informed a valid and reliable model that sufficiently explains variance to measure factors affecting SMU-TEFL during the Covid-19 pandemic. Six significant relationships out of eight hypothetical statements were confirmed and elaborated. It is recommended that future research be conducted in order to improve the integration of technology into TEFL courses, especially in pandemic situations. © 2022, Teaching English with Technology. All Rights Reserved.