Basic steps in establishing effective small group teaching sessions in medical schools

Sultan Ayoub Meo

doi:10.12669/pjms.294.3609

Abstract

Small-group teaching and learning has achieved an admirable position in medical education and has become more popular as a means of encouraging the students in their studies and enhance the process of deep learning. The main characteristics of small group teaching are active involvement of the learners in entire learning cycle and well defined task orientation with achievable specific aims and objectives in a given time period. The essential components in the development of an ideal small group teaching and learning sessions are preliminary considerations at departmental and institutional level including educational strategies, group composition, physical environment, existing resources, diagnosis of the needs, formulation of the objectives and suitable teaching outline. Small group teaching increases the student interest, teamwork ability, retention of knowledge and skills, enhance transfer of concepts to innovative issues, and improve the self-directed learning. It develops self-motivation, investigating the issues, allows the student to test their thinking and higher-order activities. It also facilitates an adult style of learning, acceptance of personal responsibility for own progress. Moreover, it enhances student-faculty and peer-peer interaction, improves communication skills and provides opportunity to share the responsibility and clarify the points of bafflement.

Highlights

Over the last four decades, small-group teaching and learning has achieved an admirable position in medical education and is well-liked as a means of encouraging students and enhances the process of deep learning
Characteristics of small group teaching: The most important characteristics of small group teaching are the active involvement of learners in the entire learning cycle, well defined task orientation with
Sultan Ayoub Meo achievable specific aims and objectives in a given time and the reflection based on the experience and deep learning.[1]

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Over the last four decades, small-group teaching and learning has achieved an admirable position in medical education and is well-liked as a means of encouraging students and enhances the process of deep learning. Sultan Ayoub Meo achievable specific aims and objectives in a given time and the reflection based on the experience and deep learning.[1] The advantages of small group teaching: Small group teaching has many advantages to offer the learner These includes self direction and active learning, encourages reflection upon and control of learning activities and development of self-regulatory skills conducive to lifelong learning. In order to achieve a better small group teaching and learning environment, it is important to develop appropriate groups so that students can be actively involved in the activities.[14] The faculty has an important role in providing a pleasant environment in which the learners learn happily. The members of small group teaching committee need to coordinate with the curriculum committee to consider the contents requirement enabling the student to achieve the objectives or outcomes and which contents of the subject will be included or excluded should be based on the decision of the committee. At the end of the session appreciate all the students for their active participation

CONCLUSION

13. Characteristics of group: Group Composition