Higher education is in a time of great change. In part, this is due to the introduction of new te... more Higher education is in a time of great change. In part, this is due to the introduction of new technologies, and in part due to emergent alternative pedagogies that arise consequently. Social media is an example of such catalysts. As will be argued in this paper, it may be considered as an ideal conduit for microlearning-an innovative pedagogical trend in teaching and learning in higher education. Microlearning is gaining prominence as an innovative trend of pedagogical delivery within the tertiary sector. Conjointly, microlearning is a learner-centred teaching and learning approach, which is outcome oriented and utilises opportunities to learn the material in bite-sized segments. This conceptual-position paper explores the intersection of social media and microlearning and the growing contributions to the democratisation of higher education that may be achieved through these mediums and methodology. Additionally, it will draw upon theoretical underpinnings to highlight the consensu...
Managing the use of social media in tertiary institutions is not as straight-forward as it may fi... more Managing the use of social media in tertiary institutions is not as straight-forward as it may first seem. There is a multiplicity of facets which interplay within this space, from the espoused University policies on the one side of the coin, to the actual practices by students and staff on the other. At times, this misalignment is not the result of deliberate waywardness. For academics, deciphering and adhering to institutional policy whilst simultaneously attempting to enrich students' learning experiences is a difficult feat. This paper explores this contested space, examining the tensions between social media as a disruptive technology, coupled with the interpretation of institutional policies. Our analysis points to a call for clarity in and around institutional policy in the implementation of social media for teaching and learning in higher education.
Higher education is in a time of great change. In part, this is due to the introduction of new te... more Higher education is in a time of great change. In part, this is due to the introduction of new technologies, and in part due to emergent alternative pedagogies that arise consequently. Social media is an example of such catalysts. As will be argued in this paper, it may be considered as an ideal conduit for microlearning-an innovative pedagogical trend in teaching and learning in higher education. Microlearning is gaining prominence as an innovative trend of pedagogical delivery within the tertiary sector. Conjointly, microlearning is a learner-centred teaching and learning approach, which is outcome oriented and utilises opportunities to learn the material in bite-sized segments. This conceptual-position paper explores the intersection of social media and microlearning and the growing contributions to the democratisation of higher education that may be achieved through these mediums and methodology. Additionally, it will draw upon theoretical underpinnings to highlight the consensu...
Managing the use of social media in tertiary institutions is not as straight-forward as it may fi... more Managing the use of social media in tertiary institutions is not as straight-forward as it may first seem. There is a multiplicity of facets which interplay within this space, from the espoused University policies on the one side of the coin, to the actual practices by students and staff on the other. At times, this misalignment is not the result of deliberate waywardness. For academics, deciphering and adhering to institutional policy whilst simultaneously attempting to enrich students' learning experiences is a difficult feat. This paper explores this contested space, examining the tensions between social media as a disruptive technology, coupled with the interpretation of institutional policies. Our analysis points to a call for clarity in and around institutional policy in the implementation of social media for teaching and learning in higher education.
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