Technology acceptance model

Imagine that you have a new toy that you are not sure if you want to play with because it looks complicated or you don't understand how it works. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is like a map that tells grown-ups how much they're going to like a new toy, like a smartphone or computer program.

Basically, the Technology Acceptance Model looks at two main reasons why someone would or wouldn't want to use a new toy:

1. How easy it is to use
2. Whether it helps you get things done

Now imagine you had a toy that was really easy to use, but didn't help you get anything done...like a teddy bear that doesn't cuddle back. You wouldn't really see the point in using it. But, if you had a toy that was a little harder to use, like a remote control car, but it helped you have fun and race around, you'd probably think it was worth spending time with.

The Technology Acceptance Model takes a grown-up's point of view, trying to understand if they'll want to use a new toy like a computer program or app. They think about how well it works (is it easy to use, and does it help you get things done), and how that will influence someone's decision to use it or not. Just like you might decide to play with a toy based on how much fun it is or how easy it is to play with.