Cloud Computing Usability Model for Quality University Education

Abstract

Content delivery, communication and collaboration are associated with information Technology in University Education. To achieve these objectives, there is need for servers, storage and appropriate software in the universities and other educational institutions. Cloud Computing is based on Internet, whereby shared resources, software and information, are provided to computers and devices on-demand and works in an electricity grid-like fashion to support education. The more usable the cloud, the more efficient the task performance. The purpose of this research was to investigate and analyze cloud computing usability attributes, and then develop a cloud computing usability model for quality education. The study objectives were to identify university education quality parameters, establish cloud computing usability attributes which may affect implementation of cloud technology, develop applicable cloud computing usability model for university education and a tool to assess how the model impacts on delivery of quality of university education. The research adopted pragmatism philosophy, employing a case study research method based on universities in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used with an estimated sample size of 65 respondents. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and questionnaires to deliver a cloud computing usability model and a tool to assess acceptability of cloud computing in universities. This research makes a significant contribution to the scientific knowledge through establishment of cloud computing user satisfaction attributes in line with parameters for quality university education and in terms of the cloud computing usability model.