Small Group Teaching เชิดศักดิ์ ไอรมณีรัตน์ ภาควิชาศัลยศาสตร์ คณะ แพทยศาสตร์ศิริราชพยาบาล มหาวิทยาลัย มหิดล

Small Group Teaching A teaching method conducted in a small group:- -Provide a setting for students to discuss with friends and instructors -Allow students to apply their basic knowledge to solve particular problems -Simply put, small group teaching is a discussion session wigth a purpose. 2

Goals of Small Group Teaching Discussion with a purpose: – The development of three things Thinking skills Communication skills Attitudes

Key Skills of Teachers for A Successful Small Group Session 1.Encourage participation by learners 2.Develop professional intimacy with learners 3.Control the tension in the group during the session Whitman N, Schwenk TL. A handbook for group discussion leaders: Alternatives to lecturing medical students to death. Salt Lake City: University of Utah School of Medicine 1983.

Principle 1 Prepare for group discussion more than you would for a lecture – Knowledgeable about the subject in the level that can respond to any students’ questions – A list of potential questions to stimulate students – A list of common confusion and misunderstandings – Cases or examples to motivate students’ curiosity

Principle 2 Set ground rules for the group process – Make sure that the topic is clear, well-defined, realistic, and relevant to learners – Clear educational objectives – Clear expectations: no lecture and participation is required – Seat arrangement in a circle and have everyone introduce themselves to the group – Define timetable of the session

Principle 3 Encourage participation – Various skills: silence, open-ended question, paraphrasing, summarizing, encouragement, challenges or problems – Welcome all comments and questions – Avoid using closed end question, esp. yes/no type – Short and clear questions from teacher – Distribute questions to the whole group, avoid dominance by a particular student

Principle 4 Dealing with difficult situations – Negative or unpleasant feelings (e.g., ethical dilemma, dying patient, abortion) Explore these feelings and provide support – Conflict between teacher and students or among students Acknowledge the conflict, then provide suggestions on how to resolve the conflict based on literature – Students are uncomfortable with the group process Revisit the rationale and objectives of a small group session

Principle 5 Summarize at the end, both the process and learning objectives – A good session needs a good opening, and also a good ending. Commend positive contributions of each student Summarize the content that has been discussed Clarify misconceptions Evaluate the group process

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