Student acceptance of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in Invercargill

Abstract

RESEARCH QUESTIONS The objectives of the study will be achieved through the research questions mentioned below: The research has three research questions.

RQ1: What is the student attitude, satisfaction, and intention towards accepting online learning technology in the Southland region of Invercargill? RQ2: What were the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the student acceptance of online learning technology in the Southland region of Invercargill? RQ3: Is there a need for customised online learning to make the learning experience better?

ABSTRACT The current study aims to investigate the student acceptance of online learning, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The acceptance is examined based on student's intentions to continue using the online learning systems. The intention is studied based on student's attitude towards online learning and their satisfaction from online learning. The research uses the technology acceptance model to conduct the study. A theoretical model was proposed to study the effect of the perceived usability, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment to analyse the attitude and satisfaction of the students towards online learning. The online survey was conducted on 68 tertiary education students, most of whom were forced to shift to online learning due to the Covid-19 induced lockdowns put by the government of New Zealand. The results were generated using PLS-SEM modelling along with descriptive analysis. The study results showed that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment are significant determinants of attitude towards online learning as well as satisfaction from online learning. Also, attitude towards online learning is an indicator of behavioural intention to continue using online systems. However, the research did not support that satisfaction is an indicator of behavioural intention to continue using online systems.

Furthermore, the study also investigated the challenges faced by students in adopting online learning and the issues faced during online learning. It also compared the benefits and advantages of online learning as reflected through students’ responses. Finally, the research also investigates the need for personality-based online learning systems for enhanced user satisfaction.