During the upcoming Forming Connections activity, you’ll discuss the advantages of forming study groups with classmates outside of class and have an opportunity to form a group for this class. Prepare for that by learning a few characteristics of effective study groups.

Effective Study Groups

[insert image of a diverse study group meeting outside of a classroom]

A study group may have different definitions, depending on the purpose of the group. They may be found in professional, academic, or social settings. Study groups are formed when people commit to meeting together to work for mutual success in the context of a learning environment. In a math class, this work might include brainstorming on problem-solving strategies or studying for an exam.

To answer Question 1 below, head over to Merriam-Webster (the dictionary site) to find the formal definition of a study group.

When you work together to complete the Forming Connections activities in this course, you are leveraging the power of active learning to increase your chance of success. Working together outside of class can be a powerful supplement to the structured learning during the class meeting. In this class, there is an expectation that each student will find it useful to participate in a study group. To the extent that you are able, please commit to joining with two or three others in your class to meet at regular intervals outside of class time.

Group Characteristics

In general, study groups are most effective with three or four members. Each group should choose a group leader (this could be one person or the members can take turns). The group leader would be responsible for keeping the group on track and on task within each session to maximize the group’s time together. This person could also have the responsibility of reminding the group members of upcoming group sessions. Study groups should:

• Schedule meetings regularly, at least once a week, to last at least one hour. Longer meetings are fine if all members have the time in their schedules.
• Members should attend regularly and commit to keeping up with the course material.
• Members should commit to providing meaningful input and should not be discouraged from asking questions when they don’t understand something.
• Agree upon a structure for the flow of the session. For example, at the start of the session a chosen group recorder could ask each person what topic they want most to cover, make a note of them, and check these off as they are discussed.
• Study groups should meet in a place that has large tables and chairs, good lighting, and few distractions.
• Members should agree to take a break at the same time to maximize the time spent engaged together. Coming prepared with snacks and drinks and only taking a bathroom break could be a group rule.
• The group leader and/or recorder should wrap-up the session at the end to make sure questions have been addressed and that everyone departs with a common understanding.

[note: these items were written after considering my own successful study group experiences and those of my students. Many college learning centers offer such lists. We may wish to formalize these or support them with research].

Summary

In this What to Know page, you learned about the characteristics of effective study groups.

• In Questions 1, you formalized the definition of a study group.
• in Question 2, you identified characteristics of effective study groups.

If you feel comfortable with these ideas, it’s time to move on to Forming Connections in the next activity!