An Empirical Study of Virtual Learning Environment Adoption Using UTAUT

Abstract

When users are presented with a new technology or service, a number of factors influence their decision about how and when they will use it. To measure how students and teachers are going to accept and use a specific e-learning technology or service, an appropriate instrument is needed. In this paper common theories that can be used for measuring students' acceptance of e-learning technologies and services are presented. The Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was used to develop the measurement instrument. The measurement items have been adapted to Moodle, an open source web-based Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). Empirical data was conducted using an online survey with undergraduate students (n=235). To understand students’ perceptions about using Moodle, the UTAUT research model and hypothesized relationships between UTAUT constructs were empirically tested using the structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. The results indicate that performance expectancy and social influence have a significant impact on students’ attitudes towards using Moodle. Social influence and attitudes toward using are significant determinants of students' behavioral intention. Students’ behavioural intentions were shown to be strong and significant determinant of actual use of Moodle. The implications and limitations of the present study are also discussed.