Adult Learner's Motivation for the Use of Micro-blogging during Online Training Courses

Abstract

In this article we discuss our key idea that informal exchange in twitter contributes to the motivation of participants in online courses. Micro-blogging (via twitter) was introduced to groups of educators that participated in three online courses on the use of Web2.0 technologies and Online Didactics in educational settings. We used qualitative as well as quantitative methods to investigate their use of twitter and found out that informal exchange in twitter contributed to the motivation of learners during their participation in the online course. The participants extended their relatedness within the group, reflected their personal growth and supported others via acknowledging their inputs in a certain extent.