Factors Influencing the Acceptance and Adoption of Online Learning in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Educational systems worldwide have been forced into shifting to online learning during COVID-19 pandemic. This decision faced diverse challenges, especially in underdeveloped countries that still use traditional teaching methods, with minimal or no integrated technology, and no guidance in the literature. This study explores factors, challenges, and adaptation initiatives that might underlie the success and failure of abrupt shifting and accepting online learning systems. To explore the acceptance of online learning under these extreme circumstances, the reactions of Kuwait educational institutions to COVID-19 were collected and analyzed. A framework was utilized, and a questionnaire developed to enable quantitative analysis of these data. In total, 4,024 responses were gathered from instructors and students with acceptable reliability. Findings from the statistical analysis unveiled specific acceptance facts relevant to the crisis within its environment. This study establishes the utility of this framework for researchers to synthesize users’ acceptance of online learning systems.