Small group teaching
Student feedback consistently shows that students appreciate the opportunity to learn in small groups. These settings typically provide opportunities for students to talk to one another and their tutor/teacher, to discuss and debate ideas with peers, and to ask questions about material they have not understood. Small groups are particularly effective for fostering the vital social and academic connections that make for successful university learning experiences.
Students appreciate the opportunity to learn in small groups.
A ‘small’ group may range from three or four students to about thirty. The size may vary according to discipline, year-level, group type (eg, problem-based group or tutorial) and resources. Often, small groups may involve smaller sub-groups of students for tasks such as groupwork assignments or presentations.
Effective teaching in small groups requires a number of skills including:
- preparing students for working in groups
- managing group processes and dynamics
- guiding discussions to ensure that all students participate
- facilitating online discussions
- setting and assessing groupwork assignments
- peer assessment in small groups
This site provides links to a range of resources designed to provide you with ideas for making the most of small group learning contexts.