Social software can be defined as software that supports group communication, and it is increasingy being used for formal and informal learning.
Two trends emerge in learning, particularly within the context of technology use. The first trend is towards the social, often in formal group work or informal study groups or associations that may extend way beyond a class cohort. The social construction of knowledge relies heavily on dialogue, and this may be between students and possibly a teacher within a group. Social software can give very effective support to, not only dialogue, but also non-verbal and non-direct forms of communication.
The second is the rise in informal learning, where the potential for power shifts to occur and for learners to form their own groups and associations is very important. This too can be supported by social software. - Wikipedia
