An analysis of the technology acceptance model in understanding university students behavioral intention to use metaverse technologies

Abstract: Metaverse can be applied in several aspects of life such as the Economy, finance, social life, working environment, healthcare, real estate, and education. In the last 2 and a half years, during the COVID-19 pandemic, universities made immediate use of learning technologies, providing students with access to online learning content and platforms. Previous considerations on how to better integrate technology into universities or how the institutions can be better prepared in terms of infrastructure vanished almost immediately due to the necessity of immediate actions towards the need for social distance and global health. The present study proposes a framework for university students metaverse technologies in education acceptance and intention to use. The present study develops a structural model of MetaEducation acceptance. This model will be useful to university managers, policymakers, and professors to better incorporate the upcoming metaverse technology. The present study tests (if supported) the correlations among the aforementioned constructs. Preliminary results show hesitance to use MetaEducation technologies from university students. Self-efficacy and Subjective Norms affect Attitude and Perceived Usefulness positively, but on the other side, there is no strong correlation between Perceived Ease of Use and Attitude or Perceived Usefulness and Attitude. Authors believe that the weak ties among the study constructs have to do with the lack of knowledge of what really MetaEducation really is, and which are its advantages of use.