Abstract

Internet technologies provide support for students’ learning practices. Some Internet technologies are supported on an organisational level such as learning management systems (LMS) while others are adopted voluntarily by academics and students such as social networking sites (SNSs). Given the unique culture of Saudi Arabia where communication and interaction norms are strictly defined by strong traditions, little is known about the use patterns of these diverse technologies to support student interactions with peers and academics within tertiary learning practices. This qualitative study was conducted in two Saudi universities where seventeen students and twelve academics from both genders were interviewed. The study showed how students tend to communicate with academics in a formal way, create their own online community and interact with external tutors through online paid websites. These interaction patterns are discussed considering the national culture, learning styles and organisational regulations

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