Incorporating technology into education has become a crucial component of contemporary teaching practices. Technological advancements have led to the development of innovative teaching tools and methodologies that promote active learning and engagement among students. This study used a modified version of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to analyze the key factors that impact the integration of technology in the teaching practice of higher education instructors. Among the factors to be included in the modified model are technostress and teaching tradition. These factors have been rarely examined within the mandatory technology integration in higher education settings. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) is used to analyse the empirical data collected from 657 higher education teachers in Jordan. Findings reveal that teachers’ technological, pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) played a crucial role in facilitating the effective integration of technology into teaching practices. This boosted self-efficacy, personal innovativeness and perceptions of ease of use and usefulness. Additionally, teachers’ TPACK negatively influenced their technostress and teaching tradition. Indeed, technostress and teaching tradition were identified as significant obstacles to the effective integration of technology into teaching practices. Significant implications for theory and practice can be derived from the findings of this study to effectively incorporate technology in higher education. © The Author(s) 2024.