THE USAGE OF BLACKBOARD LEARN COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN UAE

Abstract

UAE Higher education institutions were among the first institutions in the Middle East to adopt Blackboard Learn (BBLearn) as the learning management system for their e-learning activities. Regardless of the large investments spent of BBLearn, the adoption of this system among the faculty is still slow. This qualitative case study research aimed to investigate the need for the creation of a BBLearn community of practice (CoP) in a public higher education institution in the United Arab Emirates, its anticipated benefits and its positive impact on increasing the adoption of BBLearn among the computer department faculty. A qualitative case study research methodology was used, and data was collected from faculty of the public higher education institution. The findings revealed that the faculty support the creation of a BBLearn CoP and they identified its anticipated benefits and listed them. The findings also confirmed that the creation of a BBLearn CoP will have positive impact on the adoption of BBLearn among the computer department faculty. This study confirmed the importance of communities of practice and their roles in sharing and advancing knowledge. It also revealed the need to create a BBLearn CoP to address the slow adoption of BBLearn among faculty.