Barry Westling

Hi Kelley:
Sometimes hearing something from class from one of your classmates offers a fresh perspective about the topic, and drives it home.

Regards, Barry

Mark Sedlock

I really think "study buddies" the best way
to help students to succeed. I usually ask
a successful student to do this, and then
introduce both to each other before or after
class,and suggest
directions.

Barry Westling

Hi Abigail:
The nice thing about group work is that some "weaker" students may get a fresh perspective about a topic that is possibly more clear to them than the way the instructor presented it.

Regards, Barry

Rebecca Lloyd

The only downside I see to just having a "buddy" vs. a group, is that one student may end of carrying the other. Also, they may not get along--of course this can happen in a group too, but is may be less problematic when there are others to defray the conflict.

Barry Westling

Hi Teasha:
One nice thing about using group is that a stronger student in that group may help a "weaker" student gain understanding about a class topic simply by hearing it from a different perspective.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Cheryl:
One thing study buddies or study groups are good for is they might help a weaker student learn from a stronger one.

Regards, Barry

Lydia Ruiz-Rivera

My students do use the studyy buddies tecnique and it works wonders for them .the group strated with 2 and now the majority of the class try to attend their study sessions which i hear are fun,break the tension of the test,helps each other in capturing the important details and motivate them to look for thje correct answer if everybody differs.

Mark Sedlock

I do the same thing, i.e., pair up a student
who is struggling with an "A" student. I have
found the "A" students are quite willing to do
this, and that this is the most successful
was of helping a student improve. It's even
more productive than a tutor, or a study group.

Mark Sedlock

Barry Westling

Hi Siane:
Exactly - by hearing the information from a new source, the students help each other understand the material from a new angle. And, they may be more comfortable asking each other questions.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Howard:
Very true. In general, the hoped for response is the student who is struggling gains another perspective from the stronger student, creating a better understanding and sense of accomplishment in both.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Sharon:
This technique has been known to work especially well for students who are struggling. Hearing the content from a classmate may be less stressful and less intimidating, and like you mentioned, gives them a different bent on the information.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Susan:
We're describing a valuable technique here - by pairing up a student with a stronger student, or even someone that can just address the information in a new way, we give the student another perspeotive and avenue to understand the content.

Regards, Barry

Lisa Pannell-Day

Mark I agree with you...peer tutoring is excellent and I think students feel less intimidated when they are working with their peers.

Barry Westling

Hi Mark:
I too have heard of this approach bringing successful outcomes for both students. For a student who is struggling, it helps them understand the content from another source. For the student who is strong, it strengthens their understanding even further. Nothing helps a student learn more than by having them teach!

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Patrick:
Studdy-buddies can be an effective way of allowing students the chance to speak more openly with eachother about content that is not understood. By setting this up at the beginning of the class, it may create a more comfortable learning environment.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Kathleen:
This kind of idea can help remove any feelings of intimidation about talking to someone about content we don't understand. For example, a student may feel uncomfotable approaching the instructor with a question, but may feel more comfortable speaking with a fellow classmate.

Regards, Barry

Kelley Aliffi

I agree with this statement! Peers usually are the best teachers. I teach massage therapy technique classes and I encourage my students to give one another honest feedback about how the techniques feel and what could be better. It is much less intimidating than when the feedback comes from me.

Sometimes I forget about the concept of study-buddies - thank you all for your ideas!

Letisha Finnell

I have also found that encouraging study partners gives the extravert purpose and the introvert a sense of belonging.

Abigail Roberts

I agree with the concept of study buddies or study groups, I just think lots of students are intimidated or too shy to start them on their own outside of class. I usually pair a struggling student with a more successful one in lab groups. I've had classes do very well when the group gets together outside of class to review the material as a group before our once a week class.