The Center for Academic Success

Study Group Starter Kit

THE “WHY” AND “HOW-TO” GUIDE to

Organizing Successful Study Groups

Center for Academic Success has developed a practical

starter kit to help you and your classmates study together

productively!

Why Participate In A Study Group?

You can supplement your individual study and gain a greater understanding of class material

Study groups allow an opportunity to: Share notes, study tips , ideas and talents Learn class material faster

and easier Complete class projects and

homework more quickly

Common Pitfalls

DistractionsUnproductiven

ess

ComplainingGroup-Thinking

DominationIntimidation

Avoid Pitfalls by Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning helps to: Minimize miscommunication Clarify goals Save time Reduce frustration, disappointment, confusion

Avoid Pitfalls by Using these 7 Steps!

Download Starter Kit

Survey Classmate

Interest

Advertise 1st

Meeting

Meetto Organize

Study Hold 1st Session

MotivateGroup

Members

Celebrate Relax, and Evaluate

12

34

56

7

STEP: 1

Download Study Group Starter Kit:

http://www.cas.lsu.edu/study-groups

Study Group Starter Kit Contents

Pre-Meeting

Tools

Meeting Tools

Post –Meeting Tools

Interest Flyer/Sign-Up Sheet

First Meeting AgendaCAS Special Message

Study Group Session Guide/Sample Agenda

Study Group GuidelinesTips for SuccessThe Study Cycle

Group Learning ResourcesStudy Cycle

Rules & Expectations Discussion Guide

Group Roles & Responsibilities

Blank Study Group Meeting Schedule

Blank Study Group Meeting Schedule

• Before class• Pick up after class

Option 1Distribute

Sign-Up List

• Message• Forum

Option 2Use Moodle

• Talk before or after class• Exchange information• Spread information to others

Option 3Word of Mouth

Step 2: Get Your Classmates Interested

STEP 3: Determine & Share Details of 1st Meeting

To Interested Peers

To Other classmates

Communicate

Best TimeBest

LocationBest Mode of Communicati

on

Determine

Sign-Up ListMoodle ResponsesPeer Verbal Statements

Analyze

Step 4: Use 1st Meeting to Organize

Names & MajorsIntroduce

Special CAS MessageRead/View

GuidelinesReview

Expectations, Tips for Success & DutiesDiscuss

Times, Dates & Locations SelectCorrect & Multiple Forms of Contact InfoGather

Purpose of Next Study SessionDecide

Group Size and Mix

• 4-5 members• Options for

selecting group members:• Similar

Availability• Learning styles • Similar academic

goals• Equivalent ability

Group Structure

• Choose Group Leader/Facilitator

• Assign roles to each member

Group Dynamics

• Discuss & Clarify• Goals• Expectations• Rules• Responsibilities

Guidelines

Discuss and Answer these Questions:

• Purpose: What is the purpose of our study group?

• Time and location: When and where are we going to meet?

• Goals: What are our standards? What are we aiming for?

• Function: How do we want to relate to each other? How do we want our group to function?

• Expectations: What do we expect from each other?

Goals, Rules, and Expectations

Schedule all meeting several weeks in

advance.Attend all meetings Arrive, Begin and End on

Time

Be prepared so you can contribute to the group

effort.

Tips for Success

Actively participate.

Promote each others

learning and success.Provide

assistance, support, and

encouragement.

Consistently check for

productivity and

efficiency.

More Tips for Success

Assign Roles in Your Groups

Time Keeper: Ensures meeting start and end on

timeMonitors time spent on task and

discussions

Liaison: Goes to professor, tutor or TA to get clarity on problems or topics for the group

Recorder: Keeps contact information

Keeps notes on study groups progress

Takes notes on important class

information

Communicator: Reminds members of meetings and assignments

Informs group of members absences

Leader/Facilitator:Ensures meeting runs smoothly

Ensures the groups goals, expectations are met

Communicator:

• Should send everyone a summary of first meeting and reminders for next meeting.

Recorder:• Begin making notes of assignments

and information covered in class.

Leader:• should make proper arrangements if

study area is to be reserved.

All members:

• In-put dates on personal calendars, and work to complete task assigned by the group.

Immediate Responsibilities(After Organization Meeting, Before 1st Study Session)

Example Assessment Questions

How is the structure working?

Are all members participating?

Was our goal met? How is the allotted

time?

STEP 5: Hold 1st Study Session

Choose purpose of

session

•Refer to Ways to Use Study Groups

Set an Agenda

Study

Assess Productivit

y

•Suggest Solutions

Plan for next

Session

Sample Study Session Agenda1 Hour

• Debrief, Socialize, Get Settled5-10m

• Set Session Goal1-3m

• Independent Learning15m

• Group Learning15-20m

• Independent Learning15-20 m

• Group/ Individual Assessment10m

• Review, Plan for Next Session5-10m

Preview/Review• Review, Compare, or fill-in notes• Save 10 mins. to preview for next class

• Concept Maps

Intensive Study • In general, for quizzes, for exams• Explain difficult concepts

Complete assignments, homework

Assess learning• Use Generic Question Stems

Suggested Uses of Study Groups

Learning New

Information

Use the Jigsaw Method

Learn a piece of information

Teach the rest of the group

Requires trust & interdependence

Assessing Deep

Learning

Try to articulate

answers for open-ended questions

Ex. Explain how? Why is

this important?

Intensive Test Study

Each members should submit predicted test

questions

Group should practice

questions both written and

verbally

Group Learning Options

Work Problems Prior to Session

Each person should teach how they solved

the problem Focus on reasoning instead of methodGain appreciation

for others thought process Do not copy solutions

with or without understanding

Make tougher multi-step problems a

priority

Content-Specific Tips(Quantitative/Math/Science)

• Begin by quizzing each other on basic terms and facts

• Progress to explaining whole concepts through writing or drawing

Learning processes, theories, &

major concepts

• Critique and proof each others work• Do not create a group outline for

assigned essay questions

Writing short answer/essay

s

Content-Specific Tips (Qualitative, Natural Sciences, Humanities and Social Sciences)

Commitment to Study

Group

Contributions to Study

Group

Assessments &

Improvements

Classroom Performance

Positive Academic Behaviors

Step 6: Motivate Group Members to Keep Up:

Celebrate• Everyone’s

Success

Relax• To release

stress

Evaluate• Your

experience with Study Groups

STEP 7: Relax/Celebrate Accomplishments