Factors influencing the acceptance of blended learning during the Covid-19 pandemic: A case of a private university in Malaysia

• Main Author: Israa Najeeb Zaidan
• Format: text::Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2023

Blended Learning courses integrate virtual and classroom learning experiences and allow efficient use of resources. Many studies have explored the adoption, acceptance and use of eLearning in Malaysian private institutions. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the acceptance of blended learning and the use of eLearning in term of behaviour intention and attitude within the Malaysian context and during the COVID-19 situation, which have forced institutions to conduct classes online. Filling this gap allows a significant contribution to be made, particularly during the COVID 19 pandemic and the practice of social distancing. The study aims is to investigate the factors that influence the acceptance of blended learning in a private university in Malaysia. Analysis of current literature and technology acceptance model, along with the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, were carried out to formulate the conceptual model of this study. It is proposed that perceived usefulness, attitude, social influence and perceived ease of use, will have a significant effect on the behavioural intention to use Blended Learning. The study also proposed that the behavioural intention to use blended learning will have a significant effect on the usage behaviour of blended learning by students. The population of this study is students who have experienced and attended classes online during COVID-19 situation. Among the proposed factors, the findings indicated that perceived ease of use, social influence and perceived usefulness have significant positive effects on attitude and behavioural intention. The attitude was found to have a significant positive impact on behavioural intention as well. Hence, all the proposed hypotheses of this study were supported. Furthermore, results showed that attitude was the strongest predictor of behavioural intention. At the same time, the strongest predictor of attitude was perceived usefulness. The findings of this research were consistent with the findings of previous studies. However, the population was limited to one private institution (Universiti Tenaga Nasional). A random sampling technique was used in this study. A random sampling technique was used in this study and the data was collected from 347 students which then analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science and AMOS software. Recommendations for decision-makers were addressed to ease the use of BL and inform students about its advantages and usefulness during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Future work suggests (1) gathering more responses from various institutions and (2) incorporating more theories and variables to further investigate the BL technology during COVID-19.