Abstract
Social networking tools have been enthusiastically heralded as a means to support different learning types and innovative pedagogical practices. They have also been recognized as potential tools to promote informal learning. In this paper we describe work carried out using the synergy of social web tools, learning models and innovative pedagogical practices across a Masters Degree Course. Findings suggest that the use of these tools as a means to distribute an open and flexible learning environment fosters informal interactions and such interactions are perceived by students to have a significant impact over their formal learning outcomes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
UNESCO: ICT-CST-Policy Framework (2008), http://cst.unesco-ci.org/sites/projects/cst/The%20Standards/ICT-CST-Policy%20Framework.pdf
UNESCO: Open and Distance Learning – trends, policy and strategy considerations (2002), http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0012/001284/128463e.pdf
OECD: Education at a Glance 2008: OECD Indicators (2008), http://www.oecd.org/edu/eag
European Union: Delivering Lifelong Learning for Knowledge, Creativity and Innovation. Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Region, Brussels (2007)
Wenger, E.: Communities of Practice and Informal Learning. In: Proceedings of the eLearningLisboa 2007 Conference, Lisbon (2008)
Siemens, G.: Learning as Network Creation (2005), http://www.elearnspace.org/Articles/networks.htm
Downes, S.: Learning Networks and Connective Knowledge (2006), http://it.coe.uga.edu/itforum/paper92/paper92.html
Gan, Y., Zhu, Z.: A Learning framework for Knowledge Building and Collective Wisdom Advancement in Virtual Learning Communities. Educational Technology and Society 10, 206–226 (2007)
Price, S., Rogers, Y.: Let’s get physical: the learning benefits of interacting in digitally augmented physical spaces. Computers and Education 43(1-2), 137–151 (2004)
Paulus, T.: CMC modes for learning tasks at a distance. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication 12(4), article 9 (2007)
Ducate, L.C., Lomicka, L.L.: Adventures in the Blogosphere: From Blog Readers to Blog Writers. Computer Assisted Language Learning 21, 9–28 (2008)
Alexander, B.: Web 2.0: A new wave of innovation for teaching and learning. Educause Review, 33–40 (March/April 2006), www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ERM0621.pdf
Eraut, M.: Non-formal learning, implicit learning and tacit knowledge. In: Coffield, F. (ed.) The Necessity of Informal Learning. Policy Press, Bristol (2000)
Calvani, A., Giovanni, B., Antonio, F., Maria, R.: Towards e-Learning 2.0: New Paths for Informal Learning and Lifelong Learning – an Application with Personal Learning Environments. In: Proceedings of the EDEN Annual Conference 2007, Naples, Italy (2007)
Pettenati, M., Ranieri, M.: Informal Learning Theories to Support Knowledge Management in Distributed CoPs. In: Tomadaki, E., Scott, P. (eds.) Innovative Approaches for Learning and Knowledge Sharing, EC-TEL 2006 Workshops Proceedings, pp. 345–355 (2006)
Sefton-Green, J.: Literature Review in Informal Learning with Technology outside School, NESTA Futurelab Report No. 7 (2004), http://www.futurelab.org.uk/research/reviews/07_01.htm
Livingstone, D.: Exploring the Icebergs of Adult Learning: Findings of the First Canadian Survey of Informal Learning Practices. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. University of Toronto, Toronto (2000)
Marsick, V., Watkins, K.: Informal and Incident Learning. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education 89, 25–34 (2001)
Iadecola, G., Piave, N.: Evaluating Informal Learning in a Virtual Context. Paper presented at the fourth International Scientific Conference, eLSE, Bucharest (2008), http://adl.unap.ro/else/papers/085.-794.1.%20Iadecola%20e%20Piave%20-%20Evaluating%20informal.pdf
Selwyn, N.: Web 2.0 Applications as alternative Environments for Informal Learning - a Critical Review. Paper presented at the OECD-KERIS expert meeting. Cheju Island, North Korea (2007)
Tough, A.: The adult’s learning projects, 2nd edn. Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto (1979)
Schugurensky, D.: The forms of informal learning: Towards a conceptualization of the field, NALL Working Paper 19 (2000)
Downes, S.: E-Learning 2.0. eLearn Magazine, 10 (2005)
Cross, J.: Informal Learning: Rediscovering the Natural Pathways That Inspire Innovation and Performance. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., San Francisco (2007)
Downes, S.: The Form of Informal – 2 (2006), http://www.downes.ca/post/38637
Siemens, G.: Connectivism: A Learning Theory for the Digital Age. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning 2(1) (2005)
Salomon, G.: Editor’s Introduction. In: Salomon, G. (ed.) Distributed Cognitions - Psychological and Educational Considerations, pp. xi-xxi. Cambridge University Press, New York (1993)
Perkins, D.N.: Person-plus: a distributed view of thinking and learning. In: Salomon, G. (ed.) Distributed Cognitions - Psychological and Educational Considerations, pp. 88–110. Cambridge University Press, New York (1993)
Siemens, G.: Knowing Knowledge, Lulu.com (2006)
Yin, R.: Case Study Research: Design and Methods, 2nd edn. Sage Publishing, Beverly Hills (1994)
Lucas, M., Moreira, A.: Social Web Tools for the Education of Educators. In: Proceedings of the IADIS e-Learning Conference, Algarve, June 17-23, vol. 2, pp. 150–154 (2009)
Clough, G., Jones, A.C., McAndrew, P., Scanlon, E.: Informal Learning with PDAs and Smartphones. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 24(5), 359–371 (2008)
Conole, G., de Laat, M., Dillon, I., Darby, J.: LXP: Student Experience of Technologies. Final Report, JISC, UK (2006), www.jisc.ac.uk/whatwedo/programmes/elearning_pedagogy/elp_learneroutcomes.aspx
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Lucas, M., Moreira, A. (2009). Bridging Formal and Informal Learning – A Case Study on Students’ Perceptions of the Use of Social Networking Tools. In: Cress, U., Dimitrova, V., Specht, M. (eds) Learning in the Synergy of Multiple Disciplines. EC-TEL 2009. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 5794. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04636-0_31
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04636-0_31
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-04635-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-04636-0
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)