Working Adults’ Networking and Social Activities in Lifelong Learning

doi:10.1017/9781108979146.021

Chapter 16 - Working Adults’ Networking and Social Activities in Lifelong Learning

from Part IV - Networking and Social Activities

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 June 2022

Mamun Ala ,

Ingrid Day ,

Sumesh Nair and

Edited by

Andreas Kaplan: Affiliation:
ESCP Business School Berlin

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Summary

This chapter explores the mechanisms and measures for implementing and evaluating the impact of networking practices in the online higher education environment. It draws on the extensive experience of a fully online Australian business school for working adults in using social networking and social activities to enhance learning, build community, impact professional advancement and create lifelong learning opportunities for alumni. This chapter also offers key insights into a pertinent question regarding the extent to which social activities should be facilitated by the institution, be self-initiated and administered by students or alumni themselves or be a hybrid of the two. Using the example of the Australian Institute of Business, we demonstrate that the latter is the most effective approach. The evidence-based best practices contributing to mutually beneficial formal and informal interactions are discussed in terms of student-centred institutional networking and engagement initiatives, networking opportunities using social media platforms, institutional benchmarking and data collection and institutional further learning activities.

Keywords

adult learners alumni engagement collaborative learning community of practice lifelong learning online education online social networking social media student engagement

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Type: Chapter
Information: Digital Transformation and Disruption of Higher Education , pp. 195 - 208

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108979146.021 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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