What is ePortfolios

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.