The Contributions of Web 2.0 in E-Learning in Saudi Arabia Research Paper

The Contributions of Web 2.0 in E-Learning in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example Very many studies and researches have been carried out with the aim of promoting E-Learning as a means of fostering better education in the world (Webster & Hackley, 1997). Most of these researches have failed to contribute to the development of E-Learning due to various reasons especially in Saudi Arabia. One of the main reasons maybe their failure in assessing the relationship between Web 2.0 and E-Learning. Students in Saudi Arabia have shown less or no interest in using E-Learning as compared to their counterparts in Ukraine and Russia (Al-Jarf, 2004). Students are although still reluctant to accept E-Learning (Alenezi, Veloo, Karim, 2010, Al-Jarf, 2007). Several factors have been found to have significance contribution to the acceptance and use of E-Learning (Yi et al., 2001; Galletta et al., 1995). One of the factors that have had significance influence on E-Learning is the Web 2.0 technology. The use of Web 2.0 is on the increase; moreover, Web 2.0 features such as social netw orks have made enormous changes to various aspects of our lives. People involved with social networks can share their opinions, photos and videos, and they can learn many things that relate to their studies and their lives (Weaver & Morrison, 2008; Bemis-Dougherty, 2010). This research aims at establishing what contributions Web 2.0 technology has had on online E-Learning in Saudi Arabia. Aims of the research This research aims at: To spread the culture of technology that helps to create an e-learning community. To provide higher education for people who do not have the opportunity to join a university. Objectives There are several reasons as to why this research is significant and they are: To examine the number of users on Web 2.0 on education purposes To investigate challenges of using Web 2.0 on E-learning To provide an opportunity for many users to learn through Web 2.0 To determine how to reduce the cost of education using e-learning To determine how to boost the confidence of people who want to share To compare the gender differences as far as the use of Web 2.0 is concerned To determine the value of Web 2.0 for students To identify the barriers of using Web 2.0 in Saudi Arabia To determine the popular uses of Web 2.0 by students Literature review In this research, literature review will come from various studies and work from different information designs concerning with World Wide Web. Reports and other representations from individual researchers, as pertains this subject matter, will be used. Different reports that attribute to the effects of using the web, especially Web 2.0., on E-learning will be used to support the research. The researcher will determine the contribution of Web 2.0 in supporting e-learning in Saudi Arabia as discussed below. Examples of Web 2.0 support of E-learning Web 2.0 includes social network sites. One way of distributing information is to have the society accept it. E-learning is hugely enhanced by social networks. All age s are encompassed in this network. Every age is represented in this network. Information is easily shared if people consider it to fun. In order to embed a new culture into a society, the society must accept and welcome the new culture. Blogging is also provided by Web 2.0 where information is shared amongst a focus group, and each is allowed to give feedback. This is the best way of dialogue. A topic is provided, and people can give