Potential Use of Online Collaborative Social Networks to Enhance Learning and Teaching in Saudi Higher Education

摘要

Education plays an important role in developing societies, and most governments around the world are paying more attention to collaborative learning in order to enhance educational outcomes. In this context, using technologies in education has been a critical factor in developing such educational systems. udThe use of online collaborative social networks (OCSNs) for educational purposes has become a highly debated topic among researchers all over the world. The current study aims to contribute to this debate by examining the potential use of OCSNs in Saudi Arabia’s higher education, which, due to its specific culture, faces particular educational issues. The study used a mixed method approach, with the Delphi method and followed up with interviews. Forty-eight experts selected from five Saudi government universities participated in the study and some of them participated in the later interviews. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data was obtained from these two methods and the findings of the interviews method were used to help understand the findings from Delphi method.udAs part of the study, a new model of building knowledge in four dimensions was designed and was called the SNTPCK model. This model was used as a framework for the study and as a codes generator for data analysis.udThe findings of the study showed that it is possible to improve Saudi higher education by using OCSNs, and stated a number of factors that might affect such usage. In addition, the study developed a new model for using OCSNs in higher education and described its implementation phases. In order to support the implementation model, the study developed a framework for the usage of OCSNs in education policy.udThe study concluded to that the Delphi method is an appropriate method of researching such phenomena. It recommended using OCSNs in Saudi higher education and recommended that OCSN implementation carried out gradually in the educational process.ud