Adopting social computing in the higher education in the Gulf states: Conceptual framework

This research sets out to develop a framework for adopting Social Computing (SC) tools and platforms in Higher Education (HE) institutions in the Persian Gulf States in order to leverage teaching and learning processes. Among other things, it reviews the known problems in HE in the Gulf States, best practices for using Social Computing in Higher Education, and the available literature on user acceptance of technology. It then addresses the known problems in HE and identifies the proper SC platforms for solutions with the support of the approved theories of user acceptance of technology. In order to achieve the goals of this study, a set of research methods has been implemented by taking samples from the different HE stakeholders in the Gulf States to collect data about the significant factors that affect user acceptance when using SC in an educational context. The aim of the data collection is to highlight these factors and link them with the behavioral intentions of using SC in HE in order to propose a framework for the effective implementation of SC in HE in Gulf State institutions. Once that aim being achieved, the society benefits more from its individuals and move toward higher levels of education, innovation and development.