Learning Goals
Deepen your understanding and form connections within these skills:
- Describe how to form and conduct an effective study group.
- Identify key characteristics of an effective study group.
- Form a study group and become an active member of the group.
In the What to Know [1E], you learn about the characteristics of effective study groups. Study groups that dedicate time to meet outside of class can be one of the most powerful components of a student’s success in college. Successful students learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process, and successful students working in small study groups tend to learn more and retain information longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats. When they make the time and the effort to participate in a learning community, students can create a strong ownership of responsibility in a learning community. In this activity, we’ll learn how to create a study group and how to set guidelines and expectations to help a group run effectively for the success of its members.
Forming Effective Study Groups
Our discussion about creating a positive learning environment and learning community continues from Forming Connections [1B]. One component of a productive learning community can be out-of-class study groups.
Guidance
[Intro: “Working alone can be intimidating. The sheer amount of work and studying that you have to do can sometimes be overwhelming. Many of us just rely on what has worked in the past to get through a big commitment like a college class. But keeping to ourselves within a course may limit our learning opportunities. Research shows that working in groups and being actively involved in the process is how students learn best. That’s why this course encourages you to work pairs and small groups to complete the activities. We know that working with others may seem intimidating, especially if they are strangers. This is natural. But studies have repeatedly shown that the best kind of learning happens outside of our comfort zones and comfortable networks. So just remember that everyone else in the group is probably feeling uncomfortable, too.
Study groups that meet outside of the classroom are valuable because they provide assistance, comfort, security, support, encouragements, and an opportunity for students to share perspectives and skills. Working together to understand course material helps reinforce the concepts and aids retention. So it makes sense to develop ways to work together, both inside and outside the classroom. Let’s begin by discussing Question 1, “What is a study group and what is its purpose?” ]
Our goal for this activity is to describe how to form and conduct a study group, identify the characteristics of an effective group, and then to form groups for this class and become active members.
Start by discussing Question 1 with a classmate. What is a study group? Use your own understanding, developed in discussion with a partner to answer the question, rather than looking up a formal definition.
Question 1
What is a study group and what is its purpose?
Do you agree or disagree that study groups can be an effective component of learning? Answer Question 2 individually then discuss your responses with the class.
Question 2
Consider the following statement:
Studying in groups helps students learn more effectively.
Part A: Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?
Part B: Have you ever participated in a study group that met outside of a college class?
Part C: In the past, have you had a positive or negative experience with a study group?
Part D: What are some reasons for that experience?
Now, reflect individually on Questions 3 – 5 and record your answers. Afterward, discuss your answers with a partner, then with the class. Together, generate a list of answers to these questions.
Question 3
What are some reasons students would consider participating in a study group?
Question 4
What are some guidelines for forming and conducting a successful study group?
Question 5
What are some ways in which the group could determine its meeting time?
