Suggestion 100. Encourage students to form study groups

IF YOU WANT TO:

• Know if the class is understanding you or not

• Know if the students are bored or confused

• Help students get to know one another

Encouraging students to form small study groups and to send representatives to see you about any difficulties their groups are having.

One humanities teacher who does this says, "Although I encourage the students to come see me about any problems they are having with the course, freshmen are often loath to do that. By encouraging them to form study groups, I am trying to help them get to know at least some of their fellow students and to take advantage of what they can learn from one another.

"Also, it seems to be easier for some students to come to me for assistance if they 'represent' a group, because the problems are then seen as common to many students, not just the group's representative. Faculty members can be very intimidating for some freshmen, even those of us who try very hard not to be. Also, many of these students were at the top of their high school classes and it is difficult for them to adjust to the competition at Berkeley. While it is difficult for them to admit that they don't understand something, there is a certain comfort in knowing that some of their fellow students are in the same boat and that by joining forces they can help one another."

Limitations on Use of Suggestion

  Discipline:  None
Course Level:  None
 Course Size:  Over 15 to 20
        Mode:  None

Copyright 1983 by the Regents of the University of California

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