doi: 10.18178/ijiet.2025.15.5.2297
Investigating the Factors Influencing Augmented Reality Adoption in Blended Learning Environments for Mechanical Engineering Degree Students at the University of Malta
Christian Camilleri1,*
,
Lawrence Farrugia Caruana1 ,
Sarah Pulé1 ,
Carlos Efrén Mora2 ,
Liberato Camilleri3
- 1Department of Technology and Entrepreneurship Education, Faculty of Education, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- 2Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- 3Department of Statistics & Operations Research, Faculty of Science, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
- Manuscript receivedDecember 12, 2024
- revisedJanuary 8, 2025
- acceptedFebruary 25, 2025
- publishedMay 13, 2025
Abstract
This study investigates the acceptance and utilization of Augmented Reality technology among mechanical engineering students in higher education at the University of Malta, utilizing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model and the Community of Inquiry framework. The research was conducted in three phases: developing lecture scenarios incorporating AR elements, delivering these scenarios, and analyzing the data using structural equation modelling with SPSS and AMOS. Findings reveal that Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Hedonic Motivation, and Cognitive Presence significantly influence Behavioral Intention, while Social Influence, Habit, and Price Value do not. Moreover, Facilitating Conditions and Behavioral Intention significantly influence Use Behavior. Most notably, Cognitive Presence from the COI framework emerges as a critical element, highlighting the significance of fostering learners’ cognitive engagement to promote AR technology adoption in blended learning environments.
Keywords
- augmented reality
- technology acceptance
- higher education
- engineering education
- Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT)
- community of inquiry
How to Cite
Christian Camilleri, Lawrence Farrugia Caruana, Sarah Pulé, Carlos Efrén Mora, and Liberato Camilleri, "Investigating the Factors Influencing Augmented Reality Adoption in Blended Learning Environments for Mechanical Engineering Degree Students at the University of Malta," International Journal of Information and Education Technology, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 912-921, 2025. https://doi.org/10.18178/ijiet.2025.15.5.2297
Copyright & License
Copyright © 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).