LIBS 150

Read the article “Adult Education and the Social Media Revolution,” available in the eReserves section of the classroom. Pay particular attention to the references these authors make to the works of others. Every citation within this article is essentially a head nod to other authors who have written about the same or similar topics. Were they all in the same room, you could imagine the authors of this article pointing to or calling out those other authors while speaking. This is what we mean when we refer to research and writing as one big conversation, with all of the participants listening and responding to one another.

In a discussion post, point to an example from this article and explain how the authors do one of the following:

·       refer to another work in order to give legitimacy to their own point;

·       refer to another work in order to build upon the ideas of others; or

·       refer to another work in order to challenge that work.

If you select "refer to another work in order to give legitimacy to their own point," first describe what the authors' point is, then describe how the cited article supports that point.

If you select "refer to another work in order to build upon the ideas of others," first describe what the ideas are, then describe how the authors build upon those ideas.

If you select "refer to another work in order to challenge that work", first describe what is being challenged, then describe how the authors are challenging the cited work.

Then, give an example from your own life in which you rely upon the work of others to complete a task or accomplish a goal. (This example might be from your workplace, community, or academic life.)

Adult Education and the Social Media Revolution

The advent of Web 2.0 and the spread of social software tools have created new and exciting opportunities for designers of digitally-mediated education programs for adults. Whether working in fully online, blended, or face-to-face learning contexts, instructors may now access technologies that allow students and faculty to engage in cooperative and collaborative learning despite being separated in space and time. By supporting the use of interactive methods and multi-media materials, social software offers educators more ways to engage learners than any preceding educational technology. Social software also empowers curriculum designers to more effectively accommodate many of the core principles of adult learning than was possible with earlier e-learning technologies. This article offers a basic introduction to some new possibilities in the design and delivery of digitally-mediated education, and an overview of the compatibility between the capabilities of social software and the principles of adult education.