In order to explore the rich dynamics of using social media as a tool for learning within higher education classrooms, researchers across three disciplines: education, human resource development (HRD), and marketing, joined forces seeking ways to focus on learning through a retrospective analysis. Three concepts--engagement, community building, and personal meaning formed the framework for this study and were utilized to analyze the themes that emerged from student reflections and opinion surveys. This study used an exploratory mixed-method multiple-case study approach involving seven social media platforms: Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, Second Life, and Skype. The research is unique because it not only looks at how social media can energize traditional and online instruction, it also cuts across three disciplines of higher education offering insights on how social media can be used to promote student learning.