Cooperative Learning as a Strategy for Self-Directed Learning in Blended-Distance Learning Environments

Abstract

Self-directed learning (SDL) is an essential component for the success of distance learning students. Technology serves as a suitable tool to enable cooperative learning (CL), a strategy that can be used to enhance SDL. The aim of this chapter is to report on literature relating to CL as a strategy for SDL in a blended-distance environment. The research question is: How does cooperative learning as an SDL strategy feature in a blended-distance learning context? A systematic literature review was performed using suitably selected key words in various databases. The selection criteria included academic publications in the last decade, relating to higher education, various research methods, and in any content area. This chapter concludes that studies involving the use of CL to promote SDL particularly in a blended-distance environment feature sparsely in the literature. Conflicting ideas on the use of terminology is problematic and further research is suggested.