Student- Initiated Study Groups
I realize that not all students have the stomach for it, I being one, but I have seen others get a great deal out of student created study groups. I could not encourage this extra-classroom activity enough. It provides support amoung the students and a focal point on the substantive learning process.
Nisa, how do you form the groups? Do you change the composition routinely or assign leadership roles?
Students-initiated study groups are very
effective, influence retention a lot.I use group study in my laboratory. Especially works for shy students, they feel themself more confident.
I think that student-initiated study groups can be quite helpful. In my opinion, one of the biggest barriers to learning in the classroom is student's reticence to show their lack of understanding. In peer study group situations, the possibility exists that students will ask the right questions to resolve their lack of understanding of course materials.
Study groups can also help the shy, unsure student feel more confident, and possibly participate more in class. I encourage them.
Interesting that I pulled this up; this morning I was working with a student on study skills, and effective strategies to study. I suggested to her that when the class is on break, or having a down time, to ask another student if they would be interested in studying the material with her. I explained that sometimes other students have effective ways of remembering the material or finding ways to relate to the material at hand. Even when I was teaching in the classroom, students would impress me with the ways they would remember the material.
I have always encouraged student-initiated study groups from the very first day of my class. Students build relationships with classmates that last throughout their education.
alot of my students form study groups and they have seemed to work well for them
Are not study groups recommended by most colleges/universities? Why would they not be recommended at career colleges? I agree with you - they are valuable.
