Factors Affecting Agricultural Students' Use of Virtual Social Networks (The Case of Zanjan University)

Despite the importance of virtual social networks (VSNs) in improving the quality of learning, students' educational use of these networks is not very desirable. Given the importance of the issue, this descriptive-correlational study was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the use of VSNs by agricultural students based on the technology acceptance model. The statistical population of the study was included all agricultural students of University of Zanjan (N = 1227). Based on Krejcie-Morgan table, 296 of the students were selected for the study using stratified sampling method with proportional assignment. The data collection tool in this study was a questionnaire whose face validity was confirmed by a panel of experts and its construct validity and composite reliability were obtained by estimating the measurement model. The results showed that "sending homework and classroom activities", "access to the latest information and news about educational issues", and "informing other students in different educational fields" were the main uses of VSNs by the surveyed students. Moreover, four variables of perceived playfulness, perceived enjoyment, perceived self-efficacy, and perceived anxiety were accounted for 72 percent of the variance of the perceived ease and two variables of perceived usefulness and perceived ease were accounted for 67 percent of the variance of attitude. Similarly, the attitude was explained 45 percent of the variance of students' use of VSNs. According to the findings, the main suggestions of the study were included holding briefings, seminars and workshops to familiarize students with how to use VSNs, supporting and providing appropriate technical services to students, employingprint media to inform students about the facilities and capabilities of different VSNs, applying known VSNs for educational activities, and increasing students' information and media literacy.