Title: Using community-mediated learning tools for informal learning online

Authors: Jenny Eppard

Addresses: University of Virginia, Curry School of Education, 205 F Street Shenandoah, Virginia 22849, USA

Abstract: Individuals are using the internet in increasing numbers to engage in informal learning either alone or in a group. This study aims to determine which types of learning tools participants used in a specific online community to negotiate possible learning. The scope of this study was not to determine if learning occurred but to provide insight into the tools used in an online community that encompassed characteristics of learning. The methodology was a qualitative case study including detached observations, participant observations, interviews and document analysis. The study found that there were two types of learning tools used on the blog cognitive (discourse, action, reflection and checking for accuracy) and physical (text, videos, images and links).

Keywords: activity theory; artefacts; informal learning; learning tool; social media.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMILE.2017.086092

International Journal of Social Media and Interactive Learning Environments, 2017 Vol.5 No.1, pp.32 - 47

Received: 16 Jan 2016
Accepted: 28 Oct 2016
Published online: 24 Aug 2017 *

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