Formal and Informal Technology Appropriation in New Learning Environments: The Case of Saudi Students in Australia

Authors

Mona Alshardan, King Saud UniversityFollow
Antonette Mendoza, Universtity of MelbourneFollow
Shanton Chang, The University of MelbourneFollow
Richard O. Sinnott, University of MelbourneFollow

Paper Number

1667

Abstract

Students' exposure to a new digital and cultural learning environment affects how they interact with peers, academics and learning resources. This is a particularly complex situation for Saudi international students who transferred from an immensely different digital and cultural learning environment. This qualitative study explores how Saudi students appropriate a bundle of technology such as learning management systems (LMS) and social networking sites (SNSs) in their learning practices in Australia. We identify that while students felt equipped with technological skills and reported positive attitudes about technology compared to their previous experiences, their lack of language and communication skills affected the patterns of technology appropriation in their learning interactions. The findings explain a transition in attitudes and practices in the appropriation of learning technologies and identified four patterns of technology appropriation, namely: shadow appropriation, repurposed appropriation, selective appropriation and proactive appropriation.

Comments

Paper Number 1667

Recommended Citation

Alshardan, Mona; Mendoza, Antonette; Chang, Shanton; and Sinnott, Richard O., "Formal and Informal Technology Appropriation in New Learning Environments: The Case of Saudi Students in Australia" (2022). PACIS 2022 Proceedings. 128.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2022/128