ChatGPT in Higher Education: Does Acceptance Lead to Self-Directed Learning?

ChatGPT technology acceptance self-directed learning artificial intelligence in education

Authors

February 12, 2026
February 21, 2026

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has introduced new learning tools, one of which is ChatGPT—a language model capable of supporting academic tasks interactively. However, the effectiveness of such tools in fostering student independence remains under-explored. This study investigates whether students’ acceptance of ChatGPT contributes to their self-directed learning (SDL) in a higher education context. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between students’ acceptance of ChatGPT—conceptualized through perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use—and their level of SDL, with frequency of use tested as a mediating variable. The scope of the study focuses on undergraduate students who have used ChatGPT in academic settings. This research employed a quantitative approach using a survey method. A total of 242 students from various faculties participated in the study. The data were analyzed through multiple regression and Sobel test to assess both direct and indirect effects within the proposed mediation model. The results showed that acceptance of ChatGPT significantly influenced both the frequency of its usage and students' self-directed learning. Although the direct effect of frequency of use on SDL was not statistically significant, the Sobel test revealed a significant indirect effect, indicating that frequency of use acts as a mediator between acceptance and SDL. In other words, students who perceive ChatGPT as useful and easy to use tend to use it more frequently, and this usage contributes—indirectly and significantly—to the development of self-directed learning behaviors. These findings suggest that integrating AI tools like ChatGPT into higher education requires not only technical access but also fostering positive perceptions and habits of use, to truly enhance student autonomy in learning.