4.2 Peer-Assisted, Collaborative, and Cooperative Learning
Topping and Ehly[73] define peer assisted learning as, “the acquisition of knowledge and skill
through active helping and supporting among status equals or matched companions” (p.1). This
broad definition prepares us for the statement by Foot and Howe[25], “Taken together, the processes
[collaborative learning and peer tutoring] describe and seek to explain underpin virtually
all the [peer-assisted learning] techniques currently in educational practice” (p.28). Smith and
MacGregor[66] further explain, “cooperative learning represents the most carefully structured end
of the collaborative learning continuum” (p.15). Thus, while Figure 2 is useful for tracing the origins
and influences of peer-assisted learning, it does not adequately represent the relationship of
this with other closely-related learning theories. Rather, the preceding statements lead to a relationship
akin to the one given in Figure 3.