PurposeDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions were forced to shut down, causing massive disruption of the education system. This paper aims to determine the critical factors for the intention to participate in e-learning during COVID-19.Design/methodology/approachData were collected by surveying 131 university students and structural equation modelling technique using PLS-SEM was employed to analysis the data.FindingsThe results showed that the COVID-19 related factors such as perceived challenges and COVID-19 awareness not only directly impact students' intention but also such effects are mediated through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use of e-learning systems. However, the results showed that the educational institution's preparedness does not directly impact the intention of students to participate in e-learning during COVID-19. The results also showed that the gender and length of the use of e-learning systems impact students' e-learning systems use.Originality/valueThese results demonstrated that, regardless of how well the educational institutions are prepared to promote the use of e-learning systems, other COVID-19-related challenges play a crucial role in forming the intention of students to participate in e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theoretical and practical implications are provided.

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the perspectives of university students on the learning management system (LMS) and determine factors that influence user experience and the outcomes of e-learning.Design/methodology/approachThis paper employs a mixed-method approach. For qualitative data, 20 semi-structure interviews were conducted. Moreover, for quantitative data, a short survey was developed and distributed among the potential respondents.FindingsThe results showed that students, particularly in programs where courses are mainly offered online, are dependent on such learning platforms. Moreover, the use of modular object-oriented dynamic learning environment (Moodle) as an application of LMS was rated positively, and e-learning was considered as an effective sustainable learning solution in current conditions.Originality/valueThe authors have illustrated empirically how the notion of UX of the LMS provides a means of exploring both students' participation in e-learning and their intention towards using such learning platforms.

PurposeStudents' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes is a vital component in determining the adoption of e-learning systems. Understanding the antecedent factors impacting students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes helps decision-makers at the higher education to take the necessary actions to enhance the quality of students' performance, especially during the exceptional times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThis paper aims to determine and analyse the antecedent factors influencing students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes during the pandemic. Structural equation modelling (SEM) is used to analysis a proposed research model.FindingsThe SEM results show that digital communities in e-learning, information technology (quality and accessibility) and the online course design quality directly influence students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes. More interestingly, results show that the COVID-19-related factors (1) awareness of the COVID-19, (2) perceived challenges (negatively) and (3) the educational institutions' preparedness also influence e-learning outcomes.Research limitations/implicationsThe results suggest that the decision-makers at the educational institutions should consider adopting a blended learning system approach to deliver e-learning during the emergency, such as the COVID-19 outbreak situation.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies in higher education context, which seek to identify the antecedent factors that influence students' satisfaction with e-learning outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Learning Management Systems (LMSs) are widely used in higher education. Eye-tracking technology is one technology that could help objectively evaluate the influence of familiarity with an LMS on the usability and user experience (UX) of the LMS. This study utilized such technology to measure user efficiency, user effectiveness, eye-movement patterns and the quantitative area of interest (AOI) metrics of eye-movement patterns that show how fast the correct area for the task is located. Six students participated in an experiment, whereby they were asked to accomplish ten tasks in the usability testing of a popular open-source LMS called Moodle.The results showed that those who were familiar with the course performed about half of the tasks more efficiently and had better AOI metrics. Additionally, it was found that the participants' eye movement patterns tended to be correlated with their AOI metrics, efficiency and effectiveness of accomplishing the tasks in the usability tests. However, the correlations were not absolute. We found different eyemovement patterns among participants regarding some user interface elements, such as text hyperlinks or images.