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Top1. Introduction
The rapid rise in technologies that allow collaboration among individuals regardless of geographic or temporal differences has spurred a shift toward Internet-supported pedagogical practices. Cloud computing is one such set of technologies that allow the management of data and applications over the Internet (Armbrust et al., 2010) and is increasingly being used to bring operational excellence for a wide range of organizations. While there has been a swift rise in popularity of cloud computing in the commercial business setting, little is known about the utilization of cloud computing in pedagogical activities, which are the core business activities of higher education. In this paper, we seek to contribute to current knowledge by examining factors that influence the viability of cloud computing technologies to support case-based pedagogy in higher education.
The case-based pedagogical technique can be effective in helping students acquire skills in analytical and diagnostic thinking, develop strong persuasive skills, and make decisions under conditions of uncertainty. To reap these benefits, students need to engage in active learning by working in groups, building constructive relationships, sharing knowledge, and regularly exchanging information with others. While it has been shown that these collaborative learning modes are essential to the success of learning through case-based curriculum, the efficacy of supporting them with cloud computing technology remains unanswered.
Information systems success theory has been widely adopted to assess the success of different information systems, such as eLearning systems, knowledge management systems, and electronic commerce (DeLone & McLean, 1992). In order to better understand the efficacy of cloud computing in the context of case-based pedagogy, this study adopts information systems success theory to examine the logical relationships among information quality, system quality, use, performance expectation, and critical mass. We examine these factors in order to address the following research question: What are the factors that influence the success of cloud computing as a platform for case-based pedagogy?
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows. We first develop a research model grounded in the literature based upon the aforementioned constructs, depicted in Figure 1. Hypotheses will then be proposed based upon the research model. The research methodology will be introduced, including a discussion of the data collection procedure and data analysis method. Hypotheses testing results will be reported and discussed, followed by limitations and future research. Academic and practical implications will be presented, and we bring the paper to a close with a conclusion.
Figure 1. Research model and hypothesized relationships