What are small groups?
More than two people (in education > 2 learners)
What is small group learning?
More than two learners
Engaged in a learning activity;
e.g. discussion, practical class
To achieve a common goal
How is small group learning different
from lectures?
• There is no lecturer. Only a facilitator, who helps
learner to achieve the learning objectives
• Active learning; not passive listening
• Collaborative learning / peer learning
• No one is a superior source of information. All are
equal, including the facilitator
• Differences in the setting
Small group configuration
Small group personalities
Chairperson
Secretary
Facilitator
Roles in a small group
Role of the chairperson
Lead the group democratically; i.e. through consensus
- Facilitate appointing a secretary
- Assign duties to different members
- Control the dominant members
- Motivate the passive members
- Identify deviations in the discussion and
bring the group back on track
- Do not allow groups within groups
- Manage time
Roles in a small group
Role of the secretary
- Take down salient points during the
discussion
- Summarise at the end
Role of the facilitator
- Ensure that the group functions smoothly
- Ensure that learning objectives are achieved
by the end of the session
- Provide guidance to the group where
necessary
Roles in a small group
Role of the other members
- Listen
- Talk
- Read
- Write
- Think
- Discuss / argue
- Actively participate and contribute to the
evolving process of learning
Small group dynamics
Chairperson
Secretary
Facilitator
Small group dynamics
Passive
member
Dominant
member
Chairperson
Secretary
Facilitator
Life cycle of a small group
Forming
Storming
Norming
Performing
Small group learning triad
Trigger
Learner
Facilitator
Steps in a small group
- Read the trigger/scenario
- Clarify keywords/phrases or difficult/unclear terms
- Identify keywords/phrases
- Read, understand and analyse the trigger/scenario
- Recall what we know and identify what we don’t
- Recognise different perspectives/solutions to the
same problem
- Try to come to conclusions
- Formulate learning objectives
- Summarise and ensure that all
- Above all relax and enjoy
All this is done not individually,
but as a ‘group’
collectively
through
collaboration
Ground rules
• Respect each other’s views
- Do not ridicule or laugh at another
- Appreciate another view point
- Disagree with respect
• Speak one at a time – not too much not too little
• Appreciate silent moments
• Build on other’s comments – this is how new
learning occurs
• Share knowledge and ideas – if you are selfish
the biggest loser will be you (Why?)
Why?
Two brains better than one brain
Several brains better than two brains
Why? contd…
In a small group, we:
- read
- talk
- listen
- write
- see
- think
- argue
- compare and contrast
- classify and summarise/draw conclusions
Science
Numbers
Equations
Colour
Image
Small group learning methods
1. Buzz groups
2. Structured small group discussions
3. Problem-based learning (PBL)
1. Buzz groups
Activity: Discuss with your neighbour why
buzz groups are called buzz groups.
Buzz….zzz….zzzz……
2. Small group discussion
 A single session, structured discussion
on a topic or a case scenario
 Usually topic has no one
solution, but a multitude of
competing issues; e.g. ethical
dilemma
 Objectives are known to the
participant
 Excellent for understanding
the diversity of options/views
3. Problem-based learning
 A multi-session, structured discussion
on a problem; e.g. case scenario
 Objectives are generated by
the participants
 Students gain new knowledge
by trying to solve the problem
 Excellent for understanding
the diversity of options/views
Summary
Small group discussions have a lot to offer, that
you can never achieve individually.
But that is only if it is:
- properly planned; i.e. which method (e.g.
buzz, snowballing) to use for which
purpose (e.g. generating ideas, solving
problems)
- properly implemented; e.g. each member
knowing their roles and adhering to them
in the proper spirit
Thank you