See also the Study Group Report Form
An old adage goes "If you want to really learn a subject, teach it to someone." One of the most effective means of learning is to explain material to others and to explore its significance with them. I have contrived a means of encouraging you to engage in this activity so that it rewards you in two ways. First, you will more effectively (and enjoyably?) learn the material. Second, you will be awarded points for this activity which will be added to your cumulative points and raise your score in the course.
To form your study group, arrange it so that at least three and up to five persons meet once a week to review and explore material presented in class and/or covered in the assigned readings. Together, read through your class notes, describing and explaining to each other the principles and processes related to the assigned topics. As a group, redraw and label illustrations presented in class and discuss their meanings. Redefine terms presented in class. Ask each other practice questions. Compare wordstem lists and drill each other on their meanings. "Instruct your peers, and be instructed by them."
I am so convinced of the importance of these
study group sessions that I will give students who meet these criteria up
to 30 points per quarter (ten points per report). This corresponds to approximately
6% of your grade for the quarter. (NOTE: if you choose not to participate
in a study group, you will effectively lower your cumulative grade by 6%...)
Please rigorously observe the honor code
in completing the Study Group Report
:
Ground Rules:
1. The study group must be composed of at least 3 and no more than 5 people who set a mutually acceptable hour to meet on a weekly basis. (Groups outside this range do not get full credit.)
2. Meet for at least one full hour in the given week.
3. Select a chairperson who will be responsible for preparing and submitting reports. At the conclusion of each session , the Chair fills in the date and hours of the study session and spells out several questions which arose during the session. The duties of the chair are listed on the report form. If the report is correctly filled in and filed, the Chair will receive one additional point per report submitted.
4 At the end of each session, each student who participated for the entire hour signs the form, testifying to the truthfulness of the report. Lastly, the Chair signs, affirming that all submitted information is correct and truthful.
5. Students will receive 3 points per each full session attended, and a bonus point if all three sessions in a given report period were attended. The Chair will also receive the Chair's bonus point for correctly filling in and submitting the report (maximum of 11 points per report period for the Chair). The Chair should circle the date the report is to be submitted.
6. The report must be submitted in class on the dates are listed at the top of the report form (usually prior to the administration of a test or quiz). If the Chair is not be able to turn in the report on the due date, someone else should be assigned that duty.