Factors Affecting the Students’ Actual Use Behaviour of Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) during the Movement Control Order (MCO)

The Malaysian university students faced various obstacles and had unmet needs when it is no longer an option to carry out virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges faced by students call into question their actual use behaviour and true acceptance of the virtual learning environment (VLE). Thus, this study investigated the students’ actual use behaviour of VLEs, the factors that influence the actual use behaviour, the moderating effect of network connectivity on this relationship, and challenges faced by students while using this technology. The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Unified Theory Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model were used as the theoretical basis of this study. An online survey was conducted among the International Medical University (IMU) students. The finding surmised that most of the students have adopted the VLE during the pandemic. The findings further revealed that factors such as hedonic motivation, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use positively affect actual use behaviour, while network connectivity has no significant moderating effect on the relationship between the dimensions of the VLE and actual use behaviour. The key challenges include high cost associated with the VLE usage, and the students find the VLE is not entertaining or enjoyable. These results indicate that students will be inclined to accept the technology if there is high hedonic motivation, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use. Universities should focus on enhancing these factors to increase the acceptance of this technology among students, as VLEs have untapped potential for distance learning.