Factors predicting University students’ behavioral intention to use eLearning platforms in the post-pandemic normal: an UTAUT2 approach with ‘Learning Value’

The use of eLearning platforms has made it possible to continue the learning process in universities, and other educational institutions, during the Covid pandemic. Students’ acceptance of eLearning is important because it is associated with their engagement in the online teaching–learning environment. This study used the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2: Venkatesh et al., 2012) to determine the factors predicting the behavioral intention of university students' to use eLearning platforms in the post-pandemic era. UTAUT2 was extended to include the constructs ‘Learning Value’ and ‘Empowerment in Learning’. 314 students from different universities across Greece participated by completing an online questionnaire. Performance Expectancy, Social Influence, Hedonic Motivation, Learning Value and Habit had a significant impact on students’ intention to use eLearning platforms to learn, while Facilitating Conditions and Learning Value had a direct impact on actual use. The findings enhance the research applying the UTAUT2 model, with the Learning Value, for the investigation of students’ intention to use eLearning platforms in the post-Covid era. We suggest for Learning Value to be included in future research in an educational context.