Factors affecting the acceptance of blended learning in medical education: application of UTAUT2 model

Seyyed Mohsen Azizi,Alireza Khatony,Nasrin Roozbahani

doi:10.1186/s12909-020-02302-2

Abstract

BackgroundBlended learning is a new approach to improving the quality of medical education. Acceptance of blended learning plays an important role in its effective implementation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate and determine the factors that might affect students’ intention to use blended learning.MethodsIn this cross-sectional, correlational study, the sample consisted of 225 Iranian medical sciences students. The theoretical framework for designing the conceptual model was the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2). Venkatesh et al. (2012) proposed UTAUT2 as a framework to explain a person’s behavior while using technology. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18 and AMOS-23 software. Structural equation modeling technique was used to test the hypotheses.ResultsThe validity and reliability of the model constructs were acceptable. Performance Expectance (PE), Effort Expectance (EE), Social Influence (SI), Facilitating Conditions (FC), Hedonic Motivation (HM), Price Value (PV) and Habit (HT) had a significant effect on the students’ behavioral intention to use blended learning. Additionally, behavioral intention to use blended learning had a significant effect on the students’ actual use of blended learning (β = 0.645, P ≤ 0.01).ConclusionThe study revealed that the proposed framework based on the UTAUT2 had good potential to identify the factors influencing the students’ behavioral intention to use blended learning. Universities can use the results of this study to design and implement successful blended learning courses in medical education.

Highlights

Blended learning is a new approach to improving the quality of medical education
If the square root of the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) of a factor is greater than the correlation coefficient of the factor, it can be stated that the questionnaire has good discriminant validity [41, 42]
The results of the current study revealed that the model designed based on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology 2 (UTAUT2) has good potential for identifying the factors influencing the use of blended learning in medical education

Summary

Introduction

Blended learning is a new approach to improving the quality of medical education. Acceptance of blended learning plays an important role in its effective implementation. Blended learning can be useful and effective in teaching clinical skills and medical education [1,2,3,4]. This approach is a good platform for linking theory and practice in the teaching-learning process [5]. Blended learning encourages learners to perform problem solving and confront challenges related to learning and sharing the learning experiences [13] This approach plays a significant role in enhancing students’ knowledge and skills and flexibility in the teaching-learning process [5]. The findings of another study showed that blended learning enabled students to use different learning styles [5]

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Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion