Artificial intelligence in higher education: Modelling students’ motivation for continuous use of ChatGPT based on a modified self-determination theory

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the determinants of higher education students' motivation towards continuous usage of ChatGPT for English language learning, based on a modified Self-Determination Theory (SDT). A quantitative approach hinged on a cross-sectional survey design was adopted, and an online questionnaire used to collect data from 324 students studying English as Foreign Language (EFL) and English as a Second Language (ESL). The data were analyzed using a Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. This study established that initial ChatGPT usage determined students' perceived autonomy, competence, relatedness and challenges in ChatGPT usage. In addition, a novel finding was that, both autonomy and relatedness predicted students' competence in using ChatGPT to learn. Further, determinants of students' motivation for continuous usage of ChatGPT were autonomy and relatedness. Lastly, the study through Important-Performance Map Analysis (IPMA), established autonomy as the most important as well as the highest performing factor determining students' motivation for continuous usage of ChatGPT. The validated SDT model explained a large total variance of 70.8% in students’ motivation for continuous use of ChatGPT. Based on the results, recommendations were made for both theory as well as policy and practice towards ChatGPT usage in higher education.