Empowering student learning with generative AI: A self-determination perspective on adoption in tertiary education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.11097

Keywords:

self-determination, generative AI, reliability, personalised learning, pedagogical drawbacks, data security and privacy, Vietnam

Abstract

The rapid integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in education presents both transformative opportunities and challenges for educators. This study investigated the key determinants influencing students' self-determined motivation to adopt GenAI applications in their learning activities. Using a self-reported questionnaire survey, data from 375 university students in Vietnam were analysed through covariance-based structural equation modelling. Our results indicate that the reliability of GenAI and the personalised learning experience it provides foster students’ intention to adopt GenAI, whereas pedagogical drawbacks and concerns over data security and privacy hinder its adoption. Furthermore, our findings reveal that digital competence positively moderates the impact of reliability on students' intention to adopt GenAI. The study highlights the perceived benefits of GenAI in promoting self-determined and personalised learning, alongside its limitations in addressing pedagogical needs and ensuring personal data security seeking to enhance student’s learning effectiveness within a GenAI-enabled digital learning environment.

 

Implications for practice or policy:

  • University educators can enhance student autonomy and competence by integrating generative AI tools into personalised learning activities.
  • Institutional leaders should develop clear guidelines and training to address data privacy and ethical use of AI in teaching.
  • Curriculum designers may need to embed digital competence development to support effective and equitable AI adoption among students.

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Author Biographies

Thu-Hang Hoang, School of International Business – Marketing, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Thu-Hang Hoang is currently the Programme Director at the Department of Logistics & Supply Chain Management (School of International Business & Marketing), University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), Vietnam. Her research centers on the issues of (1) global trade/supply chain issues, and (2) contemporary consumer and marketing research, with papers published in a range of international academic journals and conferences, as well as many public-funded applied research projects. Her ongoing research works focus on the examination of supply chain resiliency, firms’ adaptability, and risk management issues in uncertain time.

Teck Lee Yap, The Business School, RMIT International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Dr Teck Lee Yap is a Senior Lecturer in the Business Innovation Department at RMIT University Vietnam. He also serves as an Associate Research Fellow of the Institute of China Studies at University of Malaya, and the Institute of ASEAN Studies at Guangxi University of Nationalities. He had received several grants from corporate sector and school for the research on the development of Belt and Road projects in Asia, economic and financial development in Southeast Asia, and study on stakeholders' perceptions to adopt blockchain-based traceability technology in Vietnam. Before joining the academic world, he had industrial experiences in business project and financial management where he holds senior managerial roles in several sectors such as telecommunication, mineral mining, palm oil plantation, and e-commerce sectors in Asia-Pacific markets. His research interests encompass the areas of sustainability, supply chain, risk management, business economics, and issues in environmental, social, and governance. https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0000-0001-8571-5408

Minh Nguyen , The Business School, RMIT University, Vietnam

Minh Nguyen is a lecturer at Economics and Finances Department at RMIT Vietnam. His expertise spans a diverse range of fields, including cyber security behaviour, entrepreneurship, educational technologies, supply chain management, and finance. Over his career, Dr. Nguyen has contributed significantly to academic literature and has published articles in Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Information & Computer Security, Australasian Journal of Information System and other international conferences.

Son Nguyen, The Business School, RMIT International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Son holds a Ph.D. in Maritime and Logistics Management from the Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania. His research interests include maritime logistics, risk management, innovative technology application, and sustainability. His commitment to collaborative and applicable research has been proven in multiple projects in Vietnam, China, Australia, and Singapore. Son has published in and reviewed for various journals, including the Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, Reliability Engineering & System Safety, and Marine Policy. He is a member of the Australian Maritime Logistics Research Network and IEEE Technology and Engineering Management Society.

Lam Nguyen Canh, The Business School, RMIT International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Nguyen Canh Lam obtained his Ph.D. in Maritime & Transport Economics at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. He is currently a Lecturer of Logistics & Supply Chain Management at RMIT International University Vietnam LLC, Hanoi campus. Previously he was the Vice-dean of the International School of Education, Vietnam Maritime University. His research interests include transport and maritime management, port, shipping, hinterland, dry ports, seafarer affairs, logistics, and supply chain management. He has published widely in prestigious academic journals, e.g. Maritime Policy & Management, Asian Journal of Shipping and Logistics, World Review of International Transportation Research, International Journal of Logistics Systems and Management, Journal of International Logistics and Trade, etc.

Duy Dang , The Business School, RMIT University

Duy Dang is a Senior Lecturer and HDR Coordinator in the Business School, RMIT University Vietnam. His teaching and research focus on information security management, digital transformation, and applied analytics for business and education. Duy has published his works in leading information systems journals including Information & Management, Computers and Human Behavior, Behaviour and Information Technology, Information Systems Frontiers, and Computers & Security. Duy is also a Co-founder and Secretary of the Vietnam Chapter of the Association for Information Systems (VAIS).

Huy Truong Quang, The Business School, RMIT International University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam

Huy Truong Quang serves as a Senior Lecturer and Research Cluster Lead of Logistics & Supply Chain Management, at RMIT International University, Vietnam. He holds important management positions such as Purchasing Manager cum Warehouse Manager at Nipro Vietnam Co., Ltd., a Japanese leading medical device manufacturer. He got a Ph.D. degree from Kyoto University, Japan, with research interests including but not limited to supply chain management, risk, quality, sustainability, digitalization, etc. He has published on these topics in high-quality academic journals such as the International Journal of Production Research, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Business Process Management Journal, Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Construction Management and Economics, etc. He has also conducted some research projects on these topics at (1) Kyoto University, (2) the University of Minho, Portugal, (3) University of Girona, Spain, (5) Reutlingen University, Germany, (6) Vienna University, Austria and (7) Bach Khoa University, Vietnam under the funding support of Japanese Government - Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (2015-2018), Japan International Cooperation Agency (2015-2018), the Kyoto University - Japan (2017), Bach Khoa University - Vietnam (2014 – 2015), Erasmus Mundus of the European Commission through Techno Project (2015) and AREAS Project (2013 -2014), Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - Portugal (2013 -2014), Programa Operational Fatores de Competitividade (COMPETE) - Portugal  (2013 -2014), the TL-STIFUNG Foundation - Germany (2013), Toshiba corporation - Vietnam (2010 - 2013), Dam Phu My corporation - Vietnam (2010), etc. More information in https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0063-5335, https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Huy-Truong-Quang.

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Published

2026-07-03

How to Cite

Hoang, T.-H. ., Lee Yap, T. ., Nguyen , M. ., Nguyen, S. ., Nguyen Canh, L., Dang , D. ., … duong, an. (2026). Empowering student learning with generative AI: A self-determination perspective on adoption in tertiary education. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.11097

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Early Release Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 Thu-Hang Hoang, Teck Lee Yap, Minh Nguyen , Son Nguyen, Lam Nguyen Canh, Duy Dang , Huy Truong Quang, an duong

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