The social media usage has penetrated to the many areas in daily lives of today's students. Therefore, social media can be effective tool to support their educational communications and collaborations with their friends and also faculty members. This study aims to determine the effects of social media on collaborative learning. For this purpose, a theoretical model is proposed based on comprehensive literature review. Using an online questionnaire, data are collected from the students of one of the largest university in Turkey. Structural equation modelling is employed as the major statistical analytic technique. The theoretical model is supported by the findings significantly. The findings indicate that perceived ease of use is a predictor of perceived usefulness and both of these have impact on social media use of students for educational purposes. Social media usage improves peer interaction and course engagement of students and also students' interaction with faculty members. Finally, peer interaction and course engagement have positive significant effect on collaborative learning. The results of the study might be helpful to students and educational leaders in their efforts to create initiatives to support, promote, and encourage the implementation and usage of social media in blended learning classes and provide adequate training for teachers to increase social media adoption.

No abstract

Nowadays, 3G technologies provide people with higher wireless bandwidth, audio and video services, as well as mobile internet access all in one mobile environment. The information technology industry needs to understand why people prefer this technology, which variables and opportunities convinced them to use it. The focus of this study is to examine the factors affecting 3G technology perception and adoption. In the theoretical framework of the study, Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) are used as guidelines. In order to analyze 3G users' perception and behavioral intention, external variables (perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, price, variety of 3G services, service quality and social influence) and control variables (gender, age, education level, experience, occupation, payment type) are analyzed through a survey study. The results show that perceived usefulness, variety of 3G services, service quality and social influence are influencing factors towards the behavioral intention of 3G usage.

No abstract

Online communities are one of the powerful digital sources for businesses to analyze online users' behavioral data. In this sense, it is important for practitioners to know how to motivate community members, to keep them amused and regularly engaged in the community. But, practitioners should be aware that different user types exist in online communities, and they should understand these members' diverse needs to manage these communities successfully and to give a better service to their members. Concordantly, this study focuses on the problem of the existence of different user types in online communities and development of different strategies for their motivation, involvement, and communication. Unlike previous studies, this study considers theories across managerial and social domains, conducts social network analysis, and considers users' contribution patterns in an online community to identify particular user types in an online community. The study also presents motivational strategies for practitioners to keep each type of users frequently amused in online communities.