Personally, I also largely agree with Alex, but still believe that social media will and should supplement formal education opportunities. The MA that both Alex and I did at the University of NSW (free endorsement) did have its faults – some classes were not well organised nor well-planned. However, it was an invaluable experience for me. In particular, for its collaborative learning, internship and networking opportunities and chance to be critically self-reflective. I had freedom of choice for subjects and assessment topics and could focus on issues significant to me and then collaborate with new friends and classmates (sometimes effectively, other times, not so…) and debate, discuss and then take our learnings outside the class. I was fortunate to be able to complete an internship with the Centre for Refugee Research in India working with refugees from Burma. And, I met many interesting, kind and experienced students, professionals and friends while taking the course, which directly led to the creation of whydev.org. Social media will never be able to subsititue face-to-face, peer-to-peer learning and experiences.

What are you currently doing/studying at the moment?

Good luck Iraftree!

I am questioning going back for my Masters degree for that very reason. It might interrupt the real-time learning and professional growth and discussion I get via social media….

I loved reading this… I'm working on a social media report right now for SKI, and it was great to read your opinions. I'm going to take a look at a few of the resources / blogs you posted as well.

Caitlin

Also, there's a balance to be found between reading everyone else's stuff, and spending time making your own arguments… academic study (with its seminars and essays etc) makes you do this, whereas it sometimes needs more self-motivation to write your own blog posts etc as well as reading others!