Advantages and usefulness of SLTs

The content analysis of the interviews revealed three subthemes in the context of the advantages and usefulness of SLTs, involving flexibility and availability, accessibility, and ease of use and convenience.

Flexibility and Availability

The analysis of the interview data revealed that participants generally valued the usefulness of the SLTs because of the flexibility and availability. Most of participants indicated that these online learning tools could help them read course notices, download course documents and notes, access different sources and obtain information regarding the course, perform learning activities and tasks online, and take part in online discussions when they felt it was appropriate to do so. Participants believed that they had a "flexible time and place" (PS#06) for their learning via these tools, and they could "access learning resources and materials whenever required" (PS#01), and can do "learning tasks activities according to their circumstances ... anytime and anywhere" (PS#03). Moreover, student PS#09, who recommended using such tools for other learning courses, stated:

I have understood that online learning tools are flexible and have many benefits.

I am also in favour of using these tools in all the courses … I would even like the online discussions and lecture to be presented through such online tools since it becomes easier and more flexible and accessible than traditional way.

It is believed that Web 2.0 technologies such as SLTs provide "an adequate opportunity for obtaining information and taking part whenever suitable" (PS#02), and so in comparison to traditional learning "using such tools in online learning is better."

(PS#04). Furthermore, the SLTs provide sufficient flexibility and availability to allow students to receive learning materials and communications from instructors/lecturers and colleagues anywhere and anytime. For instance, participants stated that "the main blog and wiki page include many useful resources and materials that I can get them anywhere anytime when required" (PS#03), and the flexible access of requisite data was considered as "helpful for students regardless of location and time, as individuals can retrieve necessary information efficiently" (PS#02).

The results showed that the students believed they were able to achieve more flexibility in their learning through their use of the online learning tools. They could easily obtain data online without the difficulties of finding information from different hardcopy sources. These results concur with the findings of other researchers (e.g., Bourne, Harris, & Mayadas, 2005) who indicated that students have more flexibility through online learning methods because they can learn anytime and anywhere.

Accessibility

The accessibility of learning tools was another significant advantage reported by 60% of the interviewees. They indicated that the accessibility was beneficial for

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their online learning when using SLTs. The students believed that when compared to traditional methods, "learning resources are always accessible whenever required, so, learning and activities can be done anywhere in the campus, home or cafe" (PS#01), and the accessibility of these learning tools helps to keep them "updated about course activities whenever required" (PS#06. The students also explained that their learning experiences could go beyond the boundaries of a classroom through the use of

“smartphones or laptops to access the learning resources, and discussions whenever they need" (PS#02), and could "easily and frequently access their learning activities by using these tools" (PS#09).

The multiple access to the learning activities through Web 2.0 tools, such as blogs, wiki and Google tools helped students access others in their course in order "to have joint study and assist each other on their learning tasks" (PS#01), as well as

"facilitating students' connection with the course" (PS#09), which "improved their learning performance and group work" (PS#01). In addition, the students believed that the accessibility contributed to the quality of their learning, communication and interaction. This perspective was confirmed in the interview with participant, PS#03 who stated that:

The applications of these tools can support the sense of learning that use both your eyes and ears simultaneously, making it easy to understand. Students are able to access different sources, obtain much data regarding the course, and simultaneously conduct discussion with peers.

Overall, the participants perceived the use of SLTs as beneficial for their learning because the learning activities and sources could be easily accessed in various ways

that assisted their understanding of their course, interaction with peers, and their learning. This result is consistent with Huang and Behara’s (2007) findings who indicated that multiple tools were beneficial for extending the time required for obtaining and generating ideas because social networking applications can be retrieved from any mobile device or computer.

Ease of Use and Convenience

The third subtheme from the emergent theme of the advantages and usefulness of SLTs was the ease of use and convenience of these tools. Students believed that the use of these tools "certainly make(s) the learning experience beneficial since it was convenient" (PS#04), and enabled them to “not have to complete tasks on a fixed day or time, so, they can be worked on at your convenience" (PS#06). Also, "since learning is at the convenience of students, they can study whenever it is appropriate for them

… it was convenient for me to do my tasks on a weekly basis." (PS#10). Furthermore, participants reported that the ease and convenience of using SLTs made their learning useful and effective. For instance PS#01 stated that "these tools are quite convenient since you can think things over and develop new ideas. Some ideas are also posted by other group members, and they could be discussed and combined, making this learning effective", and they always could "add more information whenever required" (PS#03).

PS#02 said they were an outstanding way of broadening his understanding of the course's materials because they facilitated communication with peers and the instructor in a convenient way, and they could "put forward their ideas and perspectives in an easier and convenient way through these tools" (PS#02).

In summary, the participants perceived the advantages and usefulness of using SLTs as providing flexible and available methods to improve their learning in ways that were accessible, and easy and convenient to use. They pointed out that these tools

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provided a good opportunity to discuss course matters and interact with the instructor and peers in a useful and effective way. These results were consistent with research that revealed that flexibility and convenience are key aspects of online learning and student satisfaction (Aycock et al., 2009; Graham, Allen, & Ure, 2005).