Social Media for international collaborative learning – A case study from Palestine

International experience is important to prepare university students for the modern labor market in the globalized knowledge economy. While financial, societal, and political obstacles may limit students’ mobility in developing countries, using Web 2.0 and Social Media applications can enable them to engage in a virtual social learning environment to interact with peers and instructors abroad in an enjoyable, inclusive international Virtual Collaborative Learning experience. This study investigates the factors influencing Palestinian students’ perception of this experience, and explores the enhancement potential to fit the needs of developing countries. Thirty-four contextual, design, and individual factors were linked by course participants from Palestine to their reported motivation, enjoyment, and satisfaction in this new learning scenario. Recommended improvements in the design and implementation of similar arrangements are concluded from the qualitative evaluation of this empirical case study