The Challenge of Social Networking Software and Informal Learning

Understanding the nature of informal learning will present a challenge within schools and tertiary organisations as an increasing number of students exercise their ability to learn in ways that fall outside the formal education system.

This will be highlighted by the proliferation in the use by students and within classrooms of blogs and wikis as tools for individual expression of ideas and collaborative sharing and development of learning, and the use of personal learning environments as places where they manage their own learning interests.

At a tertiary level we’ll see an increasing demand for opportunities to learn that don’t necessarily lead to qualifications or formal recognition.