How do students perceive usability and usefulness of the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment? A survey study on students’ perspectives at Lund University.

Abstract: This study examines the factors regarding the perceived usability and usefulness of the Eclipse IDE and how this influences students' perceptions of the Eclipse IDE in the context of education. The theoretical framework of the study is the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). The theoretical framework Modes of Interaction is introduced to further explain external factors. The external factors including training, instructor and peer support, and the accessibility of online resources, were found to significantly influence students' perceptions of the software. A survey was conducted to gather students' opinions on the perceived usability, usefulness, and external factors related to the Eclipse IDE. Integrated Development Environments are often complex applications, not friendly for novice programmers, with a learning process of several weeks and with usability and satisfaction of use not always as good as expected. The findings indicate that perceived usability, such as learnability and navigation, varies among students and may impact their technology acceptance. Moreover, the survey reveals mixed results of the Eclipse IDE's usefulness, with some students believing it enhances their ability to develop applications, while others do not. The result of this study, based on earlier studies, addresses that external factors such as peer and instructional support and documentation can lead to improved technology adoption rates and better learning outcomes. By considering external factors, educators can better support students in their programming education and effectively evaluate the suitability of the Eclipse IDE for their courses.