From Crisis to Continuity: Exploring Students’ Perspectives on the Future of Online Learning Beyond COVID-19

Abstract

As we live in the post-COVID-19 era, much research should be devoted to guiding educators and policymakers on what to retain, revise, or even eliminate from the online learning experience. This study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the students’ behavioural intention to continue using technology in the post-COVID-19 era. The study was grounded in a well-known theoretical model for assessing technology adoption, the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), expanded by adding the following external variables: accessibility (ACC), anxiety (ANX), feedback (FB), computer playfulness (CP) and perceived enjoyment (PNJ). A total of 134 undergraduate students from both public and private universities and colleges in Oman were included in the study. Data was collected through the administration of a Likert-scale questionnaire and analysed using descriptive tests and the Smart-PLS technique. The study’s main findings revealed that ACC, ANX, CP, and PNJ had a significant impact on Perceived Ease of Use (PEOU), while no such effect was observed on Perceived Usefulness (PU). Notably, the study concludes that students exhibit a high intention to continue using technology. The study underscores the increasing familiarity of interactive technology tools among teachers and students, a trend accelerated during the pandemic. However, a recommendation is made for the development of a comprehensive framework by educational stakeholders, including policy professionals and teachers, to specify the strategic use of technology and its intended purpose.