Abstract
BackgroundCollaboration is of increasing importance in medical education and medical practice. Students’ and tutors’ perceptions about small group learning are valuable to inform the development of strategies to promote group dynamics and collaborative learning. This study investigated medical students’ and tutors’ views on competencies and behaviours which promote effective learning and interaction in small group settings.MethodsThis study was conducted at UNSW Australia. Five focus group discussions were conducted with first and second year medical students and eight small group tutors were interviewed. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was conducted.ResultsStudents and tutors identified a range of behaviours that influenced collaborative learning. The main themes that emerged included: respectfulness; dominance, strong opinions and openness; constructiveness of feedback; active listening and contribution; goal orientation; acceptance of roles and responsibilities; engagement and enthusiasm; preparedness; self- awareness and positive personal attributes. An important finding was that some of these student behaviours were found to have a differential impact on group interaction compared with collaborative learning. This information could be used to promote higher quality learning in small groups.ConclusionThis study has identified medical students’ and tutors’ perceptions regarding interactional behaviours in small groups, as well as behaviours which lead to more effective learning in those settings. This information could be used to promote learning in small groups.
Highlights
Collaboration is of increasing importance in medical education and medical practice
The important behaviours that emerged during focus group discussions and interviews can be categorised according to their impact on group interaction and collaborative learning (Fig. 1)
The collaborative learning behaviours that were discussed in focus groups and interviews were very alike, and tutors and students emphasized similar behaviours that positively influenced the learning in small group settings
Summary
Collaboration is of increasing importance in medical education and medical practice. Students’ and tutors’ perceptions about small group learning are valuable to inform the development of strategies to promote group dynamics and collaborative learning. According to Smith and MacGregor [10], “in most collaborative learning situations, students are working in groups of two or more, mutually searching for understanding, solutions, or meanings, or creating a product.....Questions, problems or the challenge to create something drive the group activity” (Pg. 11). This description highlights some important aspects of collaborative learning, which include communication between group members, sharing information, understanding each members roles and responsibility for working towards a common objective [1]
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