IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Facilitating and Evaluating the Development of Positive Interdependence in South African Distance Education: A Social Network Analysis

Facilitating and Evaluating the Development of Positive Interdependence in South African Distance Education: A Social Network Analysis
View Sample PDF
Author(s): Christina Johanna van Staden (University of the Free State, South Africa)
Copyright: 2021
Pages: 21
Source title: Advancing Online Course Design and Pedagogy for the 21st Century Learning Environment
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Daniel Chatham (Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-5598-9.ch010

Purchase


Abstract

Cooperative base groups (CBGs) is a technique used in contact education to develop cooperative learning skills. However, it was assumed that the tools currently available can be used for the establishment of CBGs in distance education. For the purpose of this research, a post graduate class in distance education (N=77) was divided in 11 CBGs with 7 members each with the task to assist one another in the completion of assignments, to motivate one another to submit assignments, and to support one another on academic and personal level during the year. The results shows that CBGs provided an effective method to facilitate the establishment of reciprocal relationships and therefore the development of positive interdependence, and that social network analysis provided an effective method to evaluate the development of positive interdependence both on group and class level. Unfortunately, the technique was prematurely cancelled when the author left the university. A possible correlation between positive interdependence and academic achievement needs to be further investigated.

Related Content

Kamal Moundy, Nadia Chafiq, Mohammed Talbi, Oussama Bouiri. © 2024. 13 pages.
Imane Elimadi, Khalil Shehadeh Al-Qatawneh. © 2024. 6 pages.
Shalin Hai-Jew. © 2024. 64 pages.
Rachida Ihya, Mohammed Ait Daoud, Tarek Ihya. © 2024. 27 pages.
Marco Yamba-Yugsi, Ruth S. Contreras-Espinosa, Jose Luis Eguia-Gomez. © 2024. 23 pages.
Richard Adade, Leila Goosen. © 2024. 19 pages.
Maati Souiet, Gaadi Amina, Chafiq Nadia, El Imadi Imane. © 2024. 13 pages.
Body Bottom