Getting together out-of-class: Using technologies for informal interaction and learning

Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne This paper presents the results of a study of the way in which university students use technologies for out-of-class interactions. The study investigated the usefulness and usage frequency of technologies such as mobile phones, social networking and email for informal interaction, compared to face-to-face interactions occurring in physical settings. The results seem to confirm that while informal, spontaneous interactions between students were most common face-to-face, some technologies performed a critical supportive role for „just-in-time‟ information sharing and coordinating face-to-face meetings. However, technology usage was limited due to social barriers that were sometimes exacerbated in technological settings. Building on these results, the study also considered the specific use of technologies for informal learning. Working on the basis that informal interactions are foundational to socially based informal learning, the study explored opportunities for technology use outside of the classroom, for collaborative and educational benefit. Keywords: informal interaction, informal learning, out-of-class, communication