One Size Does Not Fit All: Students' Perceptions about Edmodo at Al Ain University of Science & Technology

Author(s): Mohammad Bassam Mustafa

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Abstract: The rising expectations of using technology in education and the need to meet the requirements of the 21st century students qualities motivate educators to find solutions that aim to fulfill these ends. The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of students on the use of Edmodo. Keller's Motivational Theory (2008), the ARCS model (Attention, Relevance, Confidence, and Satisfaction), was used as the theoretical framework for the study. In this qualitative research, the researcher asked students to write reflective journals on their perception about Edmodo after it has been used in th whole semester. Fifty five journals were received from Fifty five students participated in the study which was conducted in the first semester of the academic year of 2014/2015. Accordingly, the researcher classified the ideas into common themes. The findings of the study revealed that students accept technology if it attracts their attention to its facilities and ease of use, if it is related to their interests and capabilities, if they feel confident using it and provides them with equal opportunities of learning, and if it satisfies their desires in improving their performance and achievement.