Mapping Mobile Learning Adoption in Online Education: A BERTopic Review of TAM Studies (2020–2024)

Abstract

The study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the technology acceptance model (TAM) in online education while presenting application opportunities and barriers across various educational contexts. 301 empirical studies, retrieved in Web of Science (WoS) from 2020 until 2024, formed the basis of this research. The BERTopic model was used, which identified major topics and trends before the study conducted a thematic interpretation of the data. The study identified seven different topics and categorized them into collected information into three main themes, such as teacher-centered, student-centered, and technology and perception. The study uncovered key areas of concern and emerging trends, demonstrating potential uses of TAM in online education, including improving teaching effectiveness, promoting personalized learning, and creating a supportive learning ecosystem. Psychological resistance in teachers, together with the digital divide among students and TAM’s constrained applicability, were found to be the major barriers for its implementation in online education.