Role of Social Media in Formal, Non-formal and Informal Learning and Principles of Sustainable Development

Learning is a life-long process rooted in the self and society. Media is a global platform and an individual use various forms of media to learn and communicating with global citizens but learning through social media makes a big difference in learners‟ success in all endeavors and peaceful life. The objective of the research is to recognize the role of social media in formal, non-formal and informal learning and sustainable development. A literature review provides the essence of the concept of social media and sustainable development, sustainability and role of social media in formal, non-formal and informal learning. The research demonstrates the features of social media through underlying principles of sustainable development and its role in an effective learning. The study addresses the need of social media for the self directed teaching and life-long learning i.e. an experiential learning. The researcher conducted an online survey to collect information and attempted to explore phenomena based on a personal experience and an empirical study. The empirical research demonstrates the role of social media in formal, non-formal and informal learning and therein suggesting the possibilities of sustainable development and underlying principles of sustainable social media such as unity, equality, freedom, liberty, fraternity, non-violence and compassion. The research is limited to an empirical study. The learning through social media gives an opportunity for experiencing peace and a lifelong learning and impacts in terms of better performance and productivity. The major role is rooted in social, cultural, economic, political, psychological, legal, ethical, moral, educational dimensions.