Graduate Student Research Symposium 2025

This qualitative case study examined how adult fans participating in the Friends TV show subreddit might develop transmedia literacy through connected learning. Findings revealed online engagements were primarily interest-driven, motivated by nostalgia, shared cultural literacy, and social connection. Peer-supported learning emerged through discussions, feedback exchanges, and emotional support, while critical thinking and media analysis demonstrated elements of academically-oriented learning, despite participants perceiving their participation as purely entertainment only.

Transmedia literacy was evident through cross-fandom interactions, meme-sharing, and cultural analysis, though its perceived application beyond the subreddit remained limited. While most participants were passive contributors, their low threshold of participation still contributed to knowledge-building within the community. The Friends subreddit likely exemplified an informal learning community where fans engaged in media literacy practices through participatory culture. These findings contribute to understanding how digital fandom spaces facilitate connected learning and highlight the potential for online communities to support transmedia literacy development.