Evaluation and research of facilitated study groups

To improve the study environment and minimize dropout rates at DPU, three facilitated fora for students have been launched in 2009 (in the pilot phase during Spring 2009 only for Paed.psyk. students, modules 3 and 4): a. Facilitated study groups who meet one hour before a lecture in an appreciative and constructive process involving 2-4 students. b. The facilitation of a stronger academic identity, a.o. through visits to private enterprises, as well as c. A facilitated "Tuesday bar" where an academic afternoon transforms into social interaction in the form of dinner and dance. DSE is involved in the evaluation and research of the facilitated study groups.

The project, which is carried out by Hanne Adriansen, Institut for Læring, DPU, AAU and Lene Møller Madsen, Institut for Naturfagenes Didaktik, KU, covers the periode 2009 - 2010.

Project description:

The study environment at the institutions of higher education can be improved if the social interaction and the knowledge sharing of the students is facilitated. Going to lectures can be a lonely matter, and study groups do not always function well. However, the social interation and knowledge sharing can be facilitated, thus enabling the students to benefit from each others' contribution.

A moderator gently facilitates the discussions and and social interaction through short processes involving all and focussing the efforts of everybody so that it is possible to learn something without it taking ages. Workshops have been held for 17 moderators each of whom facilitates a study group prior to the planned lecture of the course.

In the evaluation of the project interviews were performed with the moderators to investigate their role and the benefit they achieved from the facilitated meetings. The project, moreover, investigated the relation between participating in the facilitated study group and the benefit which the students got from the lectures as well as estimated to what extent you can improve the retention rate of the students at a minimum involvment of the lecturers.