Education and Technology in the 21st Century

The application of Web 2.0 tools in online learning has been increasing (Blees & Rittberger 2009; Sigala 2008). Through the rich support of Web 2.0 tools adult online learning experiences have become social participatory and flexible experiences for students (Blees & Rittberger 2009). The Web 2.0 online learning tools have enhanced interactivity collaboration learner-centered learning and authentic learning (Kim Liu & Bonk 2005; McLoughlin & Lee 2010). However as adult online learners continue to drop out of online courses at significantly high rates (Park & Choi 2009; Tyler-Smith 2006) concerns have been raised about the barriers faced by adult online learners using Web 2.0 tools. There have been calls to examine the impact barriers and motivations associated with social interactions by adult online learners who use Web 2.0 tools (Dunlap & Lowenthal 2009; Dunlap & Lowenthal 2011; Redecker Ala-Mutka Bacigalupo Ferrari & Punie 2009; Stevenson & Liu 2010). The primary purpose of writing this book was to examine how adult online learners who use Web 2.0 tools describe their experiences with these tools.