Technology Acceptance and the Metaverse: Insights from Malaysia’s Educational Landscape

Recent technological advancements have profoundly impacted various sectors, notably the education domain. Among these innovations, the metaverse, a virtual reality-based immersive environment has gained traction as a transformative tool capable of redefining conventional teaching and learning methodologies. This study investigates the factors influencing the acceptance of metaverse technologies within the Malaysian education system, with the objective of identifying key determinants that facilitate or hinder adoption among students and educators. Primary data were obtained via an online survey distributed through a self-administered questionnaire to participants across Malaysian educational institutions. The research was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, which served to examine behavioral intentions and user attitudes toward the metaverse. The results reveal that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and social influence exert a significant influence on metaverse acceptance in educational settings. These findings underscore the critical need to address technological constraints, enhance infrastructure, and promote awareness among stakeholders to support the effective integration of metaverse platforms into Malaysia’s learning ecosystems.