Investigate the Utilisation of Web 2.0 Applications: A Case Study of a Marketing Teacher and His Web-Enhanced Course Building on E-Learning Concepts at One University in KSA

Web 2.0 platforms are seen to have an emerging role in transforming teaching and learning. Specific technologies and services contributing to higher education include blogs, micro blogs, wikis, and the syndication of content through RSS, social bookmarking, media sharing, social networking sites and other social software collaborations. These can aid educators to teach by providing tools that help creativity, collaboration, motivation, and critical thinking skills, and aid students to learn in a style they are comfortable with. With applications such as Facebook, YouTube, blogging, podcasting, online discussions, and wikis, teachers and students are finding new ways to create innovative and exciting learning opportunities in worldwide academia. These tools are very popular among students for a variety of reasons. One reason is that Web 2.0 tools are free to use and easily accessible. Since they are web based, students and teachers are no longer limited to collaborating within the walls of the classroom. This case study forms part of doctoral research investigating how e-learning is developing at one university in Saudi Arabia. The paper aims to explore whether the use of Web 2 enhances teaching and learning, the means of delivering content, and the mode of communication with others. Why should we be using Web 2 technologies for teaching and learning in higher education?