Abstract
To the best of our knowledge, much research has been conducted concerning the topic of mobile learning (m-learning) adoption or acceptance. However, examining the continued use of m-learning is still in short supply and calling for further research. To bridge this limitation, this study develops an integrated model through the integration of three different theoretical models, namely technology acceptance model (TAM), theory of planned behavior (TPB), and expectation-confirmation model (ECM). To examine the proposed model, a questionnaire survey was developed to collect data from 273 postgraduate students enrolled at The British University in Dubai in the United Arab of Emirates (UAE). The partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) is used to analyze the collected data. The empirical results indicated that perceived ease of use, attitude, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms are significant predictors to explain the continued use of m-learning. Nevertheless, perceived usefulness and satisfaction were shown to be insignificant determinants to continuous intention. Further theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211.
Al-Adwan, A. S., Al-Adwan, A., & Berger, H. (2018). Solving the mystery of mobile learning adoption in higher education. International Journal of Mobile Communications, 16(1), 24–49. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJMC.2018.10007779.
Al-Emran, M., Elsherif, H. M., & Shaalan, K. (2016). Investigating attitudes towards the use of mobile learning in higher education. Computers in Human Behavior, 56, 93–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.11.033.
Al-Emran, M., Mezhuyev, V., & Kamaludin, A. (2018a). PLS-SEM in information systems research: A comprehensive methodological reference. In 4th International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Systems and Informatics (AISI 2018) (pp. 644–653). Springer.
Al-Emran, M., Mezhuyev, V., & Kamaludin, A. (2018b). Technology acceptance model in M-learning context: A systematic review. Computers & Education, 125, 389–412.
Almaiah, M. A., Jalil, M. A., & Man, M. (2016). Extending the TAM to examine the effects of quality features on mobile learning acceptance. Journal of Computers in Education, 3(4), 453–485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40692-016-0074-1.
Al-Shihi, H., Sharma, S. K., & Sarrab, M. (2018). Neural network approach to predict mobile learning acceptance. Education and Information Technologies., 23, 1805–1824. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9691-9.
Alzaza, N. S. (2013). Mobile learning services acceptance model among higher education students. Journal of UP for Research and Studies, 5, 1–28.
Arpaci, I. (2015). A comparative study of the effects of cultural differences on the adoption of mobile learning. British Journal of Educational Technology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12160.
Arpaci, I. (2019). A hybrid modeling approach for predicting the educational use of mobile cloud computing services in higher education. Computers in Human Behavior, 90, 181–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2018.09.005.
Bao, Y., Xiong, T., Hu, Z., & Kibelloh, M. (2013). Exploring gender differences on general and specific computer self-efficacy in Mobile learning adoption. Journal of Educational Computing Research. https://doi.org/10.2190/EC.49.1.e.
Barclay, D., Higgins, C., & Thompson, R. (1995). The partial least squares (pls) approach to casual modeling: Personal computer adoption Ans use as an illustration.
Bhattacherjee, A. (2001). Understanding information systems continuance: An expectation-confirmation model. MIS Quarterly, 351–370.
Briz-Ponce, L., Pereira, A., Carvalho, L., Juanes-Méndez, J. A., & García-Peñalvo, F. J. (2017). Learning with mobile technologies – Students’ behavior. Computers in Human Behavior, 72, 612–620. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.05.027.
Chen, S.-C., Liu, M.-L., & Lin, C.-P. (2013). Integrating technology readiness into the expectation–confirmation model: An empirical study of mobile services. Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking, 16(8), 604–612.
Cheng, M., & Yuen, A. H. K. (2018). Student continuance of learning management system use: A longitudinal exploration. Computers & Education. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2018.02.004.
Cheon, J., Lee, S., Crooks, S. M., & Song, J. (2012). An investigation of mobile learning readiness in higher education based on the theory of planned behavior. Computers & Education, 59(3), 1054–1064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.04.015.
Chin, W. W. (1998). The partial least squares approach to structural equation modeling. Modern Methods for Business Research, 295(2), 295–336.
Dalvi-Esfahani, M., Wai Leong, L., Ibrahim, O., & Nilashi, M. (2020). Explaining students’ continuance intention to use Mobile web 2.0 learning and their perceived learning: An integrated approach. Journal of Educational Computing Research Research 57(8), 1956–2005.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008.
Doll, W. J., Hendrickson, A., & Deng, X. (1998). Using Davis’s perceived usefulness and ease-of-use instruments for decision making: A confirmatory and multigroup invariance analysis. Decision Sciences, 29(4), 839–869.
Erdfelder, E., FAul, F., Buchner, A., & Lang, A. G. (2009). Statistical power analyses using G*power 3.1: Tests for correlation and regression analyses. Behavior Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.41.4.1149.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research, 18(1), 39–50. https://doi.org/10.2307/3151312.
Gan, C., Li, H., & Liu, Y. (2017). Understanding mobile learning adoption in higher education: An empirical investigation in the context of the mobile library. Electronic Library, 35(5), 846–860. https://doi.org/10.1108/EL-04-2016-0093.
Goodhue, D. L., Lewis, W., & Thompson, R. (2012). Does PLS have adavantages for small sample size or non-normal data? MIS Quaterly.
GSMA. (2018). The mobile economy. Retrieved from https://www.gsma.com/mobileeconomy/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/The-Mobile-Economy-Global-2018.pdf
Hair Jr, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2016). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Sage Publications.
Hair, J., Hollingsworth, C. L., Randolph, A. B., & Chong, A. Y. L. (2017). An updated and expanded assessment of PLS-SEM in information systems research. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 117(3), 442–458. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-04-2016-0130.
Hao, S., Dennen, V. P., & Mei, L. (2017). Influential factors for mobile learning acceptance among Chinese users. Educational Technology Research and Development, 65(1), 101–123. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9465-2.
Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2015). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8.
Hong, S., Thong, J. Y. L., & Tam, K. Y. (2006). Understanding continued information technology usage behavior: A comparison of three models in the context of mobile internet. Decision Support Systems, 42(3), 1819–1834.
Hsia, J. W. (2016). The effects of locus of control on university students’ mobile learning adoption. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 28(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12528-015-9103-8.
Huang, R.-T., Hsiao, C.-H., Tang, T.-W., & Lien, T.-C. (2014). Exploring the moderating role of perceived flexibility advantages in mobile learning continuance intention (MLCI). The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 15(3).
Iqbal, S., & Qureshi, I. A. (2012). M-learning adoption: A perspective from a developing country. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 13(3), 147–164.
Joo, Y. J., Kim, N., & Kim, N. H. (2016). Factors predicting online university students’ use of a mobile learning management system (m-LMS). Educational Technology Research and Development, 64(4), 611–630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-016-9436-7.
Karimi, S. (2016). Do learners’ characteristics matter? An exploration of mobile-learning adoption in self-directed learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 63, 769–776. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.06.014.
Karjaluoto, H., Mattila, M., & Pento, T. (2002). Factors underlying attitude formation towards online banking in Finland. International Journal of Bank Marketing, 20(6), 261–272.
Kim, B. (2010). An empirical investigation of mobile data service continuance: Incorporating the theory of planned behavior into the expectation–confirmation model. Expert Systems with Applications, 37(10), 7033–7039.
Kim, H. J., Lee, J. M., & Rha, J. Y. (2017). Understanding the role of user resistance on mobile learning usage among university students. Computers & Education, 113, 108–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2017.05.015.
Kim-Soon, N., Ibrahim, M. A., Razzaly, W., Ahmad, A. R., & Sirisa, N. M. X. (2017). Mobile Technology for Learning Satisfaction among Students at Malaysian technical universities (MTUN). Advanced Science Letters, 23(1), 223–226.
Kline, R. B. (2015). Principles and practice of structural equation modeling. Guilford publications., 156, 278–279. https://doi.org/10.1038/156278a0.
Kumar, B. A., & Chand, S. S. (2019). Mobile learning adoption: A systematic review. Education and Information Technologies, 24(1), 471–487. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-018-9783-6.
Liaw, S. S., & Huang, H. M. (2013). Perceived satisfaction, perceived usefulness and interactive learning environments as predictors to self-regulation in e-learning environments. Computers & Education. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2012.07.015.
Liu, Y., Li, H., & Carlsson, C. (2010). Factors driving the adoption of m-learning: An empirical study. Computers & Education, 55(3), 1211–1219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.05.018.
Mac Callum, K., & Jeffrey, L. (2013). The influence of students’ ICT skills and their adoption of mobile learning. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 29(3), 303–314. https://doi.org/10.1234/ajet.v29i3.298.
Mac Callum, K., & Jeffrey, L. (2014). Factors Impacting Teachers’ Adoption of Mobile Learning. Journal of Information Technology Education, 13.
Mac Callum, K., Jeffrey, L., & Kinshuk. (2014). Comparing the role of ICT literacy and anxiety in the adoption of mobile learning. Computers in Human Behavior, 39, 8–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.05.024.
Martin, F., & Ertzberger, J. (2013). Here and now mobile learning: An experimental study on the use of mobile technology. Computers & Education, 68, 76–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2013.04.021.
Mohammadi, H. (2015). Social and individual antecedents of m-learning adoption in Iran. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 191–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.03.006.
Nistor, N., Göǧüş, A., & Lerche, T. (2013). Educational technology acceptance across national and professional cultures: A European study. Educational Technology Research and Development., 61, 733–749. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11423-013-9292-7.
Nunnally, J. C., & Bernstein, I. H. (1994). Psychometric theory. McGraw-Hill, New York. https://doi.org/10.1037/018882.
Oghuma, A. P., Chang, Y., Libaque-Saenz, C. F., Park, M.-C., & Rho, J. J. (2015). Benefit-confirmation model for post-adoption behavior of mobile instant messaging applications: A comparative analysis of KakaoTalk and Joyn in Korea. Telecommunications Policy, 39(8), 658–677.
Park, S. Y., Lee, H. D., & Kim, S. Y. (2018). South Korean university students’ mobile learning acceptance and experience based on the perceived attributes, system quality and resistance. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2016.1261041.
Poong, Y. S., Yamaguchi, S., & Takada, J. I. (2017). Investigating the drivers of mobile learning acceptance among young adults in the world heritage town of Luang Prabang, Laos. Information Development, 33(1), 57–71. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666916638136.
Ringle, C. M., Wende, S., & Becker, J.-M. (2015). SmartPLS 3. Bönningstedt: SmartPLS Retrieved from http://www.smartpls.com.
Sabah, N. M. (2016). Exploring students’ awareness and perceptions: Influencing factors and individual differences driving m-learning adoption. Computers in Human Behavior, 65, 522–533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2016.09.009.
Sarrab, M., Al Shibli, I., & Badursha, N. (2016). An empirical study of factors driving the adoption of mobile learning in Omani higher education. The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, 17(4), 331–349. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v17i4.2614.
Sarrab, M., Al-Shihi, H., Al-Manthari, B., & Bourdoucen, H. (2018). Toward educational requirements model for Mobile learning development and adoption in higher education. TechTrends., 62, 635–646. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-018-0331-4.
Seliaman, M. E., & Al-Turki, M. S. (2012). Mobile learning adoption in Saudi Arabia. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 6(9), 1129–1131.
Tan, G. W.-H., Ooi, K.-B., Sim, J.-J., & Phusavat, K. (2012). Determinants of mobile learning adoption: An empirical analysis. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 52(3), 82–91.
Tan, G. W. H., Ooi, K. B., Leong, L. Y., & Lin, B. (2014). Predicting the drivers of behavioral intention to use mobile learning: A hybrid SEM-neural networks approach. Computers in Human Behavior, 36, 198–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.03.052.
Urbach, N., & Ahlemann, F. (2010). Structural equation modeling in information systems research using partial least squares. Journal of Information Technology Theory and Application, 11(2), 5–40. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.90.4.710.
Valencia Arias, A., Gonzalez Uribe, G., & Castaneda Riascos, M. (2016). Structural equation model for studying the mobile-learning acceptance. IEEE Latin America Transactions. https://doi.org/10.1109/TLA.2016.7483544.
Venkatesh, V., Morris, M., Davis, G., & Davis, F. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27(3), 425–478. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036540.
Wang, R.-B., & Du, C.-T. (2014). Mobile social network sites as innovative pedagogical tools: Factors and mechanism affecting students’ continuance intention on use. Journal of Computers in Education, 1(4), 353–370.
Yadegaridehkordi, E., Iahad, N. A., & Baloch, H. Z. (2013). Success factors influencing the adoption of M-learning. International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life Long Learning, 23(2), 167–178.
Yeap, J. A. L., Ramayah, T., & Soto-Acosta, P. (2016). Factors propelling the adoption of m-learning among students in higher education. Electronic Markets, 26(4), 323–338.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Appendix A. Constructs and corresponding items
Appendix A. Constructs and corresponding items
1.1 Expectation confirmation
EC1: My experience with using m-learning was better than what I expected.
EC2: The service level provided by m-learning was better than what I expected.
EC3: Overall, most of my expectations from using m-learning were confirmed.
1.2 Perceived ease of use
PEOU1: M-learning is easy to use.
PEOU2: Interaction with m-learning is clear and understandable.
PEOU3: M-learning is convenient and user-friendly.
1.3 Perceived usefulness
PU1: M-learning enhances my efficiency.
PU2: M-learning enables me to accomplish tasks more quickly.
PU3: M-learning improves my performance.
1.4 Satisfaction
SA1: I am satisfied with using m-learning as a learning assisted tool.
SA2: I am satisfied with using m-learning functions.
SA3: I am satisfied with multimedia instructions.
1.5 Attitude
AT1: I like my coursework more when I use m-learning
AT2: Using m-learning in my coursework is a pleasant experience
AT3: Using m-learning in my coursework is a wise idea
1.6 Perceive behavioral control
PBC1: I have a sufficient extent of knowledge to use m-learning.
PBC2: I have a sufficient extent of control to make a decision to use m-learning.
PBC3: I have a sufficient extent of self-confidence to make a decision to use m-learning.
1.7 Subjective norms
SN1: Most people who are important to me think that it would be fine to use m-learning.
SN2: I think other students in my classes would be willing to use m-learning.
SN3: Most people who are important to me would be in favor of using m-learning.
1.8 Continuous intention
CI1: I intend to continue using m-learning rather than discontinue its use.
CI2: I intend to continue using m-learning than other alternative means.
CI3: If I could, I would like to continue my use of m-learning.
1.9 Actual use
AU1: I use m-learning on daily basis
AU2: I use m-learning frequently
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Al-Emran, M., Arpaci, I. & Salloum, S.A. An empirical examination of continuous intention to use m-learning: An integrated model. Educ Inf Technol 25, 2899–2918 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10094-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-019-10094-2