Using social media to engage and develop the online learner in self-determined learning

  • Lisa Marie Blaschke Center for Lifelong Learning (C3L), Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
Keywords: social media, heutagogy, e-learning, self-determined learning

Abstract

Social media technology provides educators with an opportunity to engage learners in the online classroom, as well as to support development of learner skills and competencies. This case study explores the role of social media in promoting cognitive and meta-cognitive learner development while using a heutagogical teaching and learning approach. Research was conducted using questionnaires and interviews and incorporated the perspectives of both students and instructors on the use of social media in the online classroom and how media influenced interaction and learner development. Results indicate that students perceived specific social media (Google Docs, mind mapping and e-portfolio software) in conjunction with a unique learning activity as influencing specific cognitive and meta-cognitive skills (constructing new knowledge, reflecting on course content, understanding individual learning process). Research also indicated an increase in student familiarity with using social media and student research skills. This paper presents the findings from the case study, as well as general guidance to instructors for incorporating social media in the online classroom.

Keywords: social media; heutagogy; e-learning; self-determined learning

(Published: 10 November 2014)

Citation: Research in Learning Technology 2014, 22: 21635 -http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.21635

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Author Biography

Lisa Marie Blaschke, Center for Lifelong Learning (C3L), Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany

Lisa Marie Blaschke is program director for the Master of Distance Education and E-Learning (MDE) program at Oldenburg University, and an associate professor in The Graduate School at University of Maryland University College (UMUC).  She is an executive committee member of the European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN), as well as an EDEN Fellow. In addition, Lisa is a member of the editorial board for the European Journal of Open, Distance, and E-Learning and a peer reviewer for distance learning publications such as the International Review of Research in Online and Distance Learning (IRRODL), Journal of Online Learning and Teaching (JOLT), the South African Journal of Higher Education, and IGI Global. Her research interests are primarily within the areas of online collaborative learning, pedagogical application of web 2.0 technology and social media, and user interface design. Lisa entered academia in 2007 after working for nearly two decades within the software industry, where she led and implemented enterprise-wide knowledge management and training processes and solutions for SAP. Her work with SAP led to the establishment of global quality processes and standards for knowledge products, as well as the implementation of an online, learning-object information design that combined the strengths of both training and documentation. 

For a complete list of Lisa’s publications, awards, education, and experience, see her e-portfolio at:http://lisamarieblaschke.pbworks.com

 
Published
2014-11-17
How to Cite
Blaschke L. M. (2014). Using social media to engage and develop the online learner in self-determined learning. Research in Learning Technology, 22. https://doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v22.21635
Section
Original Research Articles