What Types of Learning may occur through Casual Use of a Social Network Site? The Case of Facebook

Over the past decade, World Wide Web has undergone a subtle but profound shift to Web 2.0 to become more of a social web. Social network sites (SNSs) form an integral part of everyday life for a plethora of people and represent a typical paradigm of this web evolution. Yet, little is known about how casual use of SNSs is related to learning, while most studies on SNSs revolve around adolescents and emerging adults. This study aims at casting light on the types of learning through casual use of SNSs by adults who seek for learning activities. For this purpose a quantitative survey has been administered to the most active members of a Greek Facebook group, whose main goal is to share announcements among members regarding learning events. The results showed that participants integrate Facebook in their daily practice, with women and younger adults spending slightly more time on site. Participants reported that several distinctive occurrences of learning emerge through casual Facebook use and it is concluded that everyday Facebook use may help in developing multiple types of learning.