How to Build Effective Study Groups for Better Learning Outcomes? Find Out
Build Effective Study Groups for Better Learning Outcomes
The word ‘study’ is one such act that has no one definite way of achieving what’s needed, but many. Nowadays, a popular method practiced in academic institutions is ‘group study’.
However, the problem that arises when most study groups in colleges and universities clash or break down due to too many different opinions.
Again, there are students who hesitate to be part of groups, fearing the adjustments required for collaboration among classmates.
But compared to self-studies, group studies are more beneficial. Do you know why? This is because you solve each other’s problems in group studies which makes you feel confident.
Suppose you are assigned to teamwork work where you need to work on statistical analysis. What you can do is put your skills into the doctoral dissertation help while someone else simplifies the theoretical aspect and lets the other person do all the surveys and sampling work.
This sounds easy and organized, right? Read on to get your hands on more such suggestions.
- Discuss group rules of conduct
When you become a part of a group project, discuss how each member will prepare for the day, expected goals, and regular agendas.
Also, discuss how the study group will resolve disputes, particularly when some members are not participating or carrying their fair share of the load.
Even establishing documentation that defines group policies and expectations is advised by cooperative learning experts.
- Decide the specific roles
In a group study activity, not everyone needs to talk about the same topic. It’s just a waste of time and effort. Instead, let everyone’s inner skills come out. For instance, one member might organize meeting times and locations, while another might create weekly schedules and arrange the subject material that will be studied. Some group members can be in charge of coming up with drills or instructing others on a challenging idea.
- Establish and stick to the time periods
Arriving late to meetings every other day slows down the learning process, prevents the group from accomplishing its objectives, and shows a lack of regard for one another’s time. If this occurs in your group, it must be addressed immediately.
Set a particular time to stay on track and complete the learning you set out to undertake. This will also allow you to schedule extra activities after the conference has ended. If you have met your goals and everyone agrees, it is acceptable to decide to continue studying after the allotted time has passed.
- Choose the structure of your session
Knowing what you want to cover in a study group session and in what sequence you want to do it will make it far more productive. Hence, here are some suggestions to organize your group study session better:
- Follow the study guide your professor provided as a roadmap for that session.
- Work on the study questions from your textbook’s chapter summaries.
- You can assign particular subjects or chapters to each group member to present to the group if several chapters or topics need to be covered.
- Ask everyone in the room what they would like to talk about or how they would like extra assistance as you go around the room.
- While walking around the room seems casual, it also adds some network and allows everyone to speak and ask for assistance.
These are only a few types of strategies you can use. To make the format of the group study more organized, you can take the help of online platforms like Cisco WebEx, Exam Time or Survey Monkey, etc.
- Discuss the topics to be covered
You must be very specific about the sections of the curriculum you plan to discuss. Going into your session with only a vague strategy or no plan at all can spell doom.
For example, your team needs an urgent discussion for college assignment help. What you can do is ask yourself which topic is the most complicated one. The one topic that gets the most votes will be discussed first and, accordingly, the rest. To do so, you must have a clear plan of what you want to accomplish and how you will execute it.
Next, identify the important syllabus dot points your team wants to cover in the session by pulling out your syllabus. Write these down, and use them to gauge your development throughout the course of the session.
- Make sure the group isn’t too big
If you are in charge of building a study group, remember that this is not a social gathering. The objective of the game is to conduct in-depth research and deepen your expertise in the themes you have chosen. Large groupings merely don’t function.
So, limit your group to no more than six individuals. Also, avoid assembling a study group with your buddies. It will end up with more time being spent catching up than working.
- Create a “doubts” list
Keep a running record of questions, the material you don’t understand, the knowledge you’re missing, and other things you need help with as you study alone before your group session. Bring this list to your group study session so that you can ask the other participants for clarification.
- Rephrase and repeat challenging facts
Rephrase what a group member says while they’re explaining a challenging idea. By doing this, you acquire knowledge more quickly.
- Take pauses in discussion
Too much of anything is unhealthy. So, take a brief break if your study session lasts longer than 90 minutes. Moreover, not everyone can stick to a study session for 90 minutes. So, when you are in a group, study for an hour and then take a ten-minute break and play games like word puzzles. It will keep you engaged and also let you have fun in between.
- Help one another
Even though using each other’s advantage is what you must look forward to in a group study, you must also not forget your humanitarian value. Your study group mates are not competitors with you. Hence, if they are stuck in a problem, help them instead of waiting for the person to miss his deadlines. This will affect your group in the end anyway.
- Exchange contact information
The study group can only succeed if everyone takes part. This entails doing the necessary homework, showing up promptly, and adding something worthwhile to the conversation. For that, it is crucial to inform your teammates if you anticipate being unable to attend for whatever reason. You can create a WhatsApp group and maintain the group only for academic discussions.
3 Things to Avoid in Group Studies
Now that you know what to do in a group study, it’s time to learn and avoid things that can affect your group. Read on to know more!
- Letting emotions take over
You must maintain composure and adopt a pragmatic attitude when participating in a group debate. Keep your emotions and sarcasm at bay during the conversation. Make sure not to take any counterarguments personally, even if that is how they were meant to be taken. Your performance is assessed based on both what you provide to the conversation and how it is carried out.
Being calm and steady may be aided by visualizing your future objectives. Consider how impressive your application for a study loan will be if you have successfully completed all of your rounds!
- Emphasizing quantity above quality
You don’t necessarily need to have the most to say or the most points to make. Instead, make quality your first priority in group discussions. Make sure every point you make is significant, pertinent, and positively contributes to the conversation. Also, remember that the team’s management is how you can succeed in your project. So, prefer to be a good listener instead of measuring what individual ways you have contributed. Let there be healthy debates coming so that everyone can share their say.
- Disregarding your nonverbal cues
Avoid pointing fingers, banging the table, and sitting or standing awkwardly at all costs. Make your points in a friendly, non-aggressive manner. Also, make sure to pay attention to your body language as well as the statements you are conveying orally.
Final Words,
Group study can be a productive method to learn the most at ease. But not everyone knows how to adjust to a group project and later step out of the group. Well, it’s not happening this time, as this blog will be your manual to guide. So, apply the strategies above and make the best of your study group.
Author Bio – Jack Harrison is an online educator based in Sydney. He is also associated with the academic brand MyAssignmenthelp.com where he offers training on skills for database assignments to help students with large projects.
