Study groups
I encourage students to form study groups. Many students often learn better from fellow students. It also helps students who are behind to learn some of the rudimentary material and catch up.
Study groups are a great way to interact with peers and to gain a better understanding of the material. I encourage my student to study together so during my lectured when I ask questions I do not expect only one person to keep answering my questions. I feel the smaller groups also tend to do better on the exams, overall they have better academic successes.
Yes; they lose the whole idea of solving individual difficulties and questions.They become less coherent and less productive. Discussions get sidelines
This is what I do for study group
We create a study group club with a name eg Einthoven's club in EKG( famous man in EKG instrument development,etc.
One of the student who is good in the subject is designated as Moderator.He/ she conducts the session
Instructor is assigned as Facilitator.
The club meets at assigned time and day.
Students discuss the topics and if their is still some difficulty, moderator contacts the facilitator( instructor) for explanation.
I find that students who study in smaller groups tend to have more academic success. Students who also have learning disabilities benefit from this as well.
We also encourage students to form study groups. We also post tutor session times and require tutoring if students are below 70% in week 5 of the quarter or if the instructor feels that the student needs it to pass the class.
Karyn,
It is very important to help students connect to each other. Those are friendships that can last long past their education. In the meantime, they help each other along and it is a great retention tool!
Susan Backofen
Suggesting study groups does work. During orientation at my school we break out into smaller groups and have students introduce themselves and state what town they live in, by the end of the introductions everyone has a sense of who live near them and we suggest that they form study groups and meet at public/campus libraries, coffee shops, or study rooms on campus if available. You will be surprised at how many small study groups I have seen on campus.
Dayna,
That is an important observation. Study groups that are too large are not as effective.
Susan Backofen
I also encourage study groups. I try to keep it under 3 students, more than that they start to talk more than studying.
Nathaniel,
My experience is to just leave it up to the students. Sometimes they will do this themselves (develop student groups), but providing a structured 'come and study' time is also useful.
Susan Backofen
Do you have good success with this? I have been considering trying to get a study group going for a particular math class that many students have trouble with, but I'm concerned that students won't be interested, or will sign up but not attend. Do you have any tips or tricks for making sure the group actually gets together, or do you just leave it up to the students themselves?
