RETRACTED: How avatar gender may influence users' intention to use the second life environment: an empirical study (Retracted Article)

The main aim of this survey is to analyze the user's intention to use the second life environment based on the influence of avatar gender. The use of virtual environments to transform individuals' modern technology usage has attracted special attention lately. The role of gender in virtual space has also been viewed as a contributor to modern technology use. This study examined the impact of avatar gender on users' intention to use the second life (SL) environment in a university context. Two avatars of male and female characteristics were designed and used in a learning situation. A total of 74 SL users were involved in two learning sessions (with male-female avatars). A questionnaire was used to capture users' perceptions of ease of use, attitude, usefulness, and behavioural intention to utilize the technology. SL users had positive intentions to use the environment for various learning purposes when provided with the preferred gender appearance. This study delivers insights into the dynamics of users' learning behaviour when using male and female avatars in the SL environment. This study suggests that avatar gender can help stimulate users' interaction with the activity, thus facilitating the learning process and building a sense of technology's possibilities and limits.