A Decade of Social Media and Adult Learning

Hi everyone, Today, let's do it differently. Let's take a break on adult learning and talk about another topic  that emerged in this class. This week in class, we are exploring some influential papers. The one that I would like to talk about today is the “Personal Learning Environments, Social Media, and Self-Regulated Learning: A Natural Formula for Connecting Formal and Informal Learning” by Nada Dabbagh and Anastasia Kitsantas. The paper introduces the concept of Personal Learning Environments (PLEs) as a promising pedagogical approach that bridges formal and informal learning through the use of social media. PLEs empower students to take ownership of their learning by curating resources, creating content, and connecting with peers across diverse networks. Dabbagh and Kitsantas argue that while universities still largely rely on traditional Learning Management Systems (LMS), which tend to emphasize faculty control and content delivery, social media offers unique affordan...

Before this week’s module, I had very little knowledge about Reddit. Maybe I had heard of it in passing, but I never really paid much attention or explored what it was about. As part of our class activities, I finally created an account, and I have to say, I was genuinely amazed by what I found. Reddit is so much more than I expected. The sheer variety of content, discussions, and communities available is incredible. What stood out to me the most is how real-time and dynamic interactions are. You can find up-to-the-minute information, fresh perspectives, and authentic conversations happening across so many different topics. I found it engaging and exciting, like stepping into a constantly evolving digital town square where people share experiences, ask questions, and offer advice. I am looking forward to exploring it even more, joining different subreddits, and participating in conversations that align with both my academic interests and personal hobbies. Overall, this experience...

  This week, I’ve been reflecting on how meaningful learning and connection often happen in the most unexpected ways — not just in formal academic settings, but in casual, personal exchanges, too. Felipe’s blog post on Community of Inquiry in the Age of Social Media really spoke to me. He explored how learning and belonging don’t just happen in classrooms, but also in our everyday digital interactions. I commented on how his ideas resonated with my own experiences and how even moments of fun — like his recent trip to Universal Studios with his family, which he shared on Instagram — can hold space for connection and joy that fuel community in informal but important ways.  Feeling Like You Belong: The Community of Inquiry in the Age of Social Media. Can this become possible? – Felipe Insights Aastha’s heartfelt post was a beautiful example of that. She shared how a single Facebook message changed her life — leading to a relationship, marriage, and a rethinking of how we vie...

Hi Folks! Let's talk about Facebook! Everyone should agree that we are in an age where formal education is no longer confined to classrooms or traditional institutions. In this scenario, Facebook Groups have emerged as unexpected—but powerful—hubs of lifelong learning. Far beyond memes and political rants observed online, these digital communities are fostering meaningful peer-to-peer knowledge sharing among adults across every imaginable topic, from mastering remote work to navigating early childhood development. I would say that what sets Facebook Groups apart as learning environments is their relational, real-time, and contextual nature. Adults, per se, join not just to “consume” information, but to engage with peers who are living through similar questions, challenges, or identities. In this way, learning becomes not just an activity, but a shared social practice. This aligns closely with Lave and Wenger’s (1991) concept of communities of practice , where learning occurs as...

Hi folks! Today, let’s talk about YouTube! Are you excited about it? I hope so! Hahaha   Within the scope of adult learning, I can attest that YouTube has quietly but powerfully established itself as a go-to platform for informal education—what many now jokingly but sincerely call “YouTube University.” Whether it’s learning how to install a light fixture, preparing for a job interview, or grasping a complex academic concept like regression analysis (even for us, PhD students looking for alternative ways of complementary learning), YouTube has become an essential resource for adult learners navigating diverse knowledge gaps on their own terms. Adult learners often turn to YouTube because it aligns well with the principles of andragogy, the theory of adult learning popularized by Malcolm Knowles (1960’s and 1970’s). Knowles emphasized that adults are self-directed, goal-oriented, and problem-centered in their learning. YouTube’s on-demand nature supports these traits by allowin...

  Hi Everyone! I hope you are enjoying the content approach so far!   Today, let's talk about Rainie and Wellman's (2013) concept of "networked families," which resonated deeply with me, particularly the shift from households as isolated units to dynamic, digitally connected nodes. The authors compellingly illustrate how the Triple Revolution — social networks, internet, and mobile technology — has not only restructured family communication but also redefined the meaning of "togetherness." What struck me most is the portrayal of families as networks of semi-autonomous individuals who coordinate through ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies) rather than convene physically — a notion that challenges traditional assumptions about intimacy, presence, and familial roles. For our deeper understanding, I brought the example of Tracy Kennedy, which I found especially illustrative of how digital tools can simultaneously foster independence and mainta...

Hi everyone! I hope you are enjoying the content so far. In this section, we will talk about MOOCS and their importance for adult learners. Over the past decade, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have transformed how adults access education. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy promised to democratize learning by offering free or low-cost courses from top institutions to anyone with an internet connection. For many adult learners, especially those juggling work, family, and financial pressures, MOOCs seemed like the answer to long-standing barriers in higher education. The reason is clear: MOOCs provide flexibility and access to high-quality content without the costs of traditional college. For adult learners looking to upskill or shift careers, these platforms offer a buffet of topics, from coding to business to psychology (Laurillard, 2016). Whether it is a Google certificate on Coursera or a university course on edX, adults can now engage in learning on their own terms, oft...

Learning does not stop after we graduate from school, it continues throughout our lives, especially in today’s fast-paced, digital world. To understand how adults learn best, educators often turn to three key learning theories: andragogy, connectivism, and transformative learning theory. Each offers a unique lens on how adults engage with information, particularly through platforms like social media. Andragogy, a concept popularized by Malcolm Knowles (1980), emphasizes that adult learners are self-directed, bring life experiences to their learning, and want to apply what they learn in real life. In a world full of blogs, YouTube tutorials, and professional forums, adults now seek knowledge on demand—often through a quick search or a video shared on social media. Social media aligns perfectly with andragogy because it allows adults to choose what, when, and how they learn. Then there is connectivism, a newer theory shaped by the digital age. Siemens (2005) proposed that learning ha...

  This is a space dedicated to exploring how digital platforms have transformed the ways adults access knowledge, build communities, and shape their educational journeys. Over the past ten years, social media has evolved from a tool of casual connection into a dynamic arena where learning thrives beyond classrooms and conventional institutions. This blog will reflect on that evolution, for example: how Facebook groups became informal study circles, how YouTube tutorials replaced the need for expensive training, and how LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram, and others became venues for professional development and knowledge exchange. In this decade-long journey, we have witnessed adult learners reimagine education on their own terms. From working parents upskilling through Instagram reels to retirees engaging in lifelong learning via online communities, social media has broken down barriers once thought to limit adult education. It has empowered learners to become teachers, turned...