Utilising Web 2.0 Technologies in an Australian Higher Educational Setting: A Case Study of Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia

Abstract

On a national (Australia) scale, there is limited rigorous research investigating and comparing the types of Web 2.0 (Social Media) technologies Australian university students and their lecturers are interacting with and using to communicate, collaborate, deliver, and retrieve course content. This is surprising, given that academic institutions charged with equipping graduates to compete in today’s knowledge economy, the potential for utilising Web 2.0 tools for learning and teaching is great. From such an identified research gap, this study sought to determine the level and type of Web 2.0 applications from Australian university students and their lecturers use throughout the higher education landscape for heightening pedagogical practices, knowledge management, and course delivery. Given that technology, pedagogy, knowledge management and social capital are becoming increasingly entwined, further empirical research associated with the usage of Web 2.0 within higher education is warranted.

Keywords:Web 2.0, Social Media, Higher Education, Social Capital, Knowledge Management, Pedagogy