The acceptance and use of a virtual learning environment in higher education: an empirical study in Turkey, and the UK

Özlem Efiloğlu Kurt,Özhan Tingöy

doi:10.1186/s41239-017-0064-z

Abstract

This study evaluated the acceptance and use of a virtual learning environment in higher education by using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. Study data were collected by means of a questionnaire form, completed by 1032 students receiving undergraduate education in Turkey and the United Kingdom, who currently use similar virtual learning environments. The role of performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions were evaluated and tested for both countries. The study results demonstrated that the behavioral intention and use behavior regarding the utilization of a virtual learning environment in higher education differed between the two countries, and that the level of impact of the factors that shape behavioral intention and use behavior also differed from one factor to another.

Highlights

Parallel to the rapid developments and changes in information technologies, the application of these technologies in new areas has been a subject of considerable interest in the literature
Building on similar virtual learning systems in two public universities-one is in Turkey and the other is in the United Kingdom (UK)- this research aims to reveal the students’ intentions to utilize the system and determine similarities and differences in their behaviours in using the system
& Todd, 1995; Venkatesh, Morris, Davis, & Davis, 2003; Sun & Zhang, 2006; AlGahtani, Hubona, & Wang, 2007; Lee, Choi, Kim, & Hong, 2007; Im, Hong, & Kang, 2011). These studies indicate that there are various important factors that affect the acceptance and use of information technologies by individuals belonging to different countries and cultures. These studies that began in the 1980s first made use of the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), which is based on different social and behavioral theories, and which was gradually revised and further developed until it was finalized as the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)

Summary

Introduction

Parallel to the rapid developments and changes in information technologies, the application of these technologies in new areas has been a subject of considerable interest in the literature. & Todd, 1995; Venkatesh, Morris, Davis, & Davis, 2003; Sun & Zhang, 2006; AlGahtani, Hubona, & Wang, 2007; Lee, Choi, Kim, & Hong, 2007; Im, Hong, & Kang, 2011) These studies indicate that there are various important factors that affect the acceptance and use of information technologies by individuals belonging to different countries and cultures. The present study utilizes the UTAUT, an up-to-date and highly descriptive model, to demonstrate the acceptance and use of a virtual learning environment in higher education within the context of two countries (Turkey and the United Kingdom), and thereby seeks to contribute to the existing literature In this context, the study first describes in detail the UTAUT model by providing comprehensive information on the models relating to the use and acceptance of technology, and describes the relationships between these models. After providing information regarding the study sample and scales, the study hypotheses were tested, and the results were discussed in detail

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion