Self-directed Learning, Online Mentoring and Online Coaching

The fourth industrial revolution has brought changes in current education systems. Many academic institutions are opting for open education throughout the working lives of individuals that led to a distinctive rise in e-learning; thus, a need is identified to explore the intersections between self-directed learning, online mentoring and online coaching. The aim of this chapter is to describe the main common trends on these topics and identify gaps in the scholarship that can serve as impetus for future research. Self-directed learning pertains to a process where students take responsibility for their own learning by setting outcomes, choosing material or human resources, selecting appropriate learning strategies and evaluating their learning. The online context brings specific opportunities for self-directed learning, but learners may require the support of others for mentoring (a long-term and relationship-based process) and coaching (limited to a specific task) at different levels of education, to instil learners with a love for open and distance learning. The chapter explores how self-directed learning could be supported by both approaches as well as can be fulfilled by peers or teachers. To this end, a systematic literature review was conducted of article publications related to self-directed learning, online mentoring and online coaching within the African continent between 2000 and 2020. It was found that limited research has been done in this context and that most works were focussed on South Africa and the education sector with some work in the health professions and other work contexts.