This study analysed the intention to adopt distance education in Ecuadorian universities, using student satisfaction during the Covid-19 pandemic as a mediating variable. A methodological design based on structural equation modelling was implemented using a sample of 1,317 students from three public universities in the highland’s region of Ecuador. Variables such as satisfaction and its constructs of teacher support and peer collaboration were evaluated, as well as the internal dimensions of the UTAUT model, which include performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions, in addition to moderating variables such as age, gender, university, programme and grade point average. The results show that satisfaction plays a significant mediating role in the intention to use distance learning. It is concluded that positive online learning experiences, influenced by institutional support and student collaboration, increase the intention to adopt e-learning. In addition, moderating variables such as gender and age were identified as affecting perceptions of distance learning. This analysis provides higher education institutions with valuable information to adjust their educational offerings, focusing on increasing student satisfaction and improving distance learning conditions.
HERNANDEZ-MEDINA et al. (Sun,) studied this question.