Investigating Behaviours and Attitudes Towards Use of Social Media as a Learning Technology Among Higher Education Students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This paper presents the initial results of a work in progress regarding the use of social media technologies (henceforth known as SMTs) as learning tools among higher education institutions in Saudi Arabia. It highlights the way SMTs are being used at different levels by institutions, staff members and students in Saudi Arabia to aid their studies, and the attitudes and perceptions of students regarding the same. It also highlights certain mismatches between the usage patterns of University and staff members and those of students. The findings of the study are expected to contribute to the literature in terms of institutional, instructional and student usage of social media as a learning technology in the higher education sector and lay the groundwork for policy development among higher educational institutions in Saudi Arabia.