An application of the PLS-SEM model for evaluating e-learning user satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic

The World Health Organisation classified the COVID-19 virus as a worldwide pandemic. It has had a profound impact on individuals’ lives, job patterns, and educational establishments worldwide. After offline and classroom learning were discontinued, a new learning platform (an e-learning platform) evolved to continue teaching and learning. The present study focuses on examining the associations among content (including websites and e-learning), the quality of e-learning, user happiness, and perceived damage during the epidemic. The study’s data were obtained using an online questionnaire that was produced using Google Forms and completed by the participants themselves. A total of 388 participants, hailing from various regions of India, participated in the study. The hypothesis is examined by the application of PLS-SEM (partial least squares structural equation modelling), and the data are processed using Smart-PLS 3.2.4. Consequently, the acquisition of knowledge from both website content and e-content greatly enhances the quality of e-learning. Similarly, both the website and the e-learning material significantly influence user satisfaction. Furthermore, the perceived negative consequences associated with this pandemic have overshadowed the beneficial effects of website and e-learning materials and their quality.