Cloud Computing in Case-Based Pedagogy

Abstract

Case-based pedagogy has evolved as an important tool for enhancing students’ analytical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as fostering the ability to make decisions under conditions of uncertainty. Due to the rapid development of technologies that allow collaboration and interaction despite geographic and temporal distances, educators are investigating the viability of emerging technologies such as cloud computing as platforms for case-based pedagogical techniques. This paper utilizes information systems (IS) success theory as the foundation of a study to examine case-based pedagogy in a cloud-computing environment. A three-week field experiment followed by a post-test survey is conducted in order to validate hypothesized relationships among cloud computing information quality, cloud computing system quality, cloud computing use, performance expectation in case-based pedagogy, and cloud computing critical mass. Results suggest that information quality has significant influence on not only use of cloud computing for case-based pedagogy, but also increases performance expectation and leads to critical mass. The findings of this study suggest that cloud computing is a viable platform for case-based pedagogy.