EXAMINING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ BEHAVIOURAL INTENTION TO DISTANCE LEARNING DURING COVID-19: AN EXTENDED TAM MODEL

Abstract

Learning was obliged to be transformed to distance learning due to the long-lasting COVID-19 lockdown period. This situation has brought to investigate the critical factors influencing students’ intention and actual use of distance learning tools. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the effects of distance learning, deriving independent variables adopted from ETAM. Data was gathered from 92 undergraduate students enrolled in five and other courses in Turkiye. Data were investigated via SmartPLS 3.0 through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). Results indicate that Computer Anxiety had a negative impact on Self-efficacy. Self-efficacy had a positive influence on Experience. Experience and Enjoyment had positive effects on Perceived Ease of Use. Enjoyment had a positive influence on Perceived Usefulness. The proposed model explained 87.7% of the variance of the actual use of distance learning tools. Computer anxiety and selfefficacy, which were proposed to measure experience, made this study unique and valuable. This contributes to acknowledging higher education institutions and lecturers to understand the benefits and barriers of distance learning tools for students used during the unpredicted pandemics in the future.