The Acceptance and Use of Online Learning by Law Students in a South African University: An Application of the UTAUT2 Model

COVID-19 forced many universities to shift from traditional face-to-face or blended learning, to full online learning. The sudden shift was not easy for both students and lecturers, who had to adapt to the new learning mode. This study aimed to evaluate the acceptance and use of online learning of university students in the law faculty at a South African university during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study employs the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) model particularised to the online learning context in a country with a developing economy. An online survey was administered to the student participants. The structural equation modelling analyses indicated that social influence predicted the student behavioural intention, and that facilitating conditions and price value predicted the actual behavioural use of online learning. Consequently, universities will know which factors are essential during the transition from traditional learning to full online learning in a pandemic.