Determinants Influencing the Adoption of Metaverse-based Learning Platforms among University Students

Abstract

Metaverse, an amalgamation of diverse information technologies, is seen as the future of the internet and holds promise for transforming education. Leveraging metaverse media for immersive learning has the potential to reshape education practices. Despite being a novel concept, metaverse-based education has the capacity to enrich online learning experiences. The study utilized the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model alongside the factor of personal innovativeness in IT, conducting a comprehensive survey involving 244 students from Federal University Wukari, Nigeria. Employing STATA 14, a popular variance-based structural equation modeling technique in social sciences and management, the study analyzed the structural model and conceptual measures, confirming the discriminant validity, dependability, and content of the data. The research findings highlight the importance of personal innovativeness in IT as a direct and indirect predictor of adoption intention among Generation Z students in making decisions about integrating metaverse technologies into higher education. Students demonstrating a high level of innovativeness in IT exhibit a greater willingness to engage with metaverse-based learning incorporating artificial intelligence. The results demonstrate a strong association between the identified characteristics and students' intentions to utilize educational platforms utilizing metaverse technology, contributing valuable insights to the use of technology in educational settings.