Work

University Students’ Acceptance of Distance Education at the second wave of Covid-19: Insights and Future Perspectives

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The rapid and widespread introduction of Distance Education (DE) in higher education during the pandemic was met with mixed levels of acceptance by students. To understand why, factors determining student acceptance of this mode of teaching and learning require further investigation. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze the factors influencing the acceptance of DE by university students during the second wave of Covid-19. We hypothesized that the factors encompassed by the Technology Acceptance Model (perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness) could be possible predictors of the intention of future use of DE, which is an indicator of DE acceptance. We also hypothesized that a social factor - such as subjective norm - and a contextual factor - such as facilitating conditions - could influence perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness. An online questionnaire was administered to 477 university students in Italy. Results emerging from a Path Analysis confirmed our hypotheses. Implications to promote future use of DE in higher education are discussed.

Source: Qwerty

DOI: 10.30557/qw000093

Authors: Stefano Cacciamani, Maria Beatrice Ligorio, Sarah Buglass

Institutions: University of Aosta Valley, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Nottingham Trent University

Language: English

Topic: Education during COVID-19 pandemic

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4407108052

FWCI: 3.275

Cites:

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10