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The incorporation of information and communications technology (ICT) in teaching and learning processes has created new challenges for administrative and academic processes in educational institutions. This paper proposes an E-Learning Tools Acceptance Model (eLTAM) with the purpose of examining the level of acceptance and critical factors of virtual learning tools among university students in developing countries. The methodology involved the application of a self-administered questionnaire to 1032 undergraduate students from three different Higher Education Institutions in Colombia. A confirmatory factor analysis was developed to determine the relation between the set of observed variables and latent variables or factors, defined under the E-Learning Tools Acceptance Model (eLTAM). Results confirm a strong relation between the Perceived Usefulness factor and the variables of Instructor Preparation and Autonomy in Learning, as well as between the Ease of Use factor and the Perceived Self-Efficacy Perception variable. It is concluded the instructor preparation, learning autonomy and perception of self-efficacy are the main factors affecting the adoption of e-learning tools for university students in the studied population.

Introduction: University dropout is a problem of great interest to different agents of the education system, since its presence in societies is an indicator of inefficiency, which generates considerable costs for states, universities, students and their families. Objective: Examine the factors that influence students' decision to drop out of university in the city of Medellin (Colombia) for the year 2018. Methods and instruments: A quantitative study was carried out, based on a cross-cutting exploratorydescriptive field design, in which 3026 students participated through the application of a selfadministered questionnaire. Results: In addition to economic factors, which are traditionally evaluated in this type of literature, social, family and affective conditions become key incidents when dealing with school dropout as a structural phenomenon. Conclusions: The articulation between directors, administrators, teachers and students is consolidated as a key element in academic retention processes, as a strategy to combat the phenomenon of university dropout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Education has been consolidated as a strategy to promote the development of knowledge and community vocational training; and the advanced academic degrees as the way to rise the intellectual capital in the society. Objective. Through an exploratory analysis, we try to identify the main undergraduate students motivations to enroll in a graduate program. Methodology. We applied a self-application questionnaire to 728 undergraduate students in the last semesters of their vocational training, at Medellin-Colombia. We explored seven dimensions related to the motivations to study a graduate program. Results. The undergraduate students' motivations to enroll in a graduate program are influenced by academic high level offered and traditional education (non-virtual) methodology of the advanced academic degrees. Conclusions. The Higher Education Institutions have to consider the social context in which they are inmerse, besides their foundational principles, to response effectively to the needed from people to enroll in graduate programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Online education has grown exponentially in recent years worldwide, and Colombia has not been an exception. Objective. Describe the perceptions of students about the factors that affect the acceptance of online learning tools in Medellín. Materials and methods. A quantitative design by the use of self-managed questionnaires for 1032 students was used. Results. New information and communications technologies, faster transactions and exchanges and many other conditions have affected massification and flexibility strategies in some higher education institutions. Conclusions. The conclusion was that, even though online platforms help students feel more efficient in their learning processes, there are still many challenges to be faced concerning the implementation of new technologies as strategies to mediate in the teaching-learning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]