Small Group Teaching

Brian V. Reamy, M.D., Col(RET), USAF, MCAssociate Dean for Faculty & Professor of Family Medicine

What is your job as the leader/lecturer?

Large Group Lectures

How many? What educational level or experience?

◦ Medical students (pre-clinical, clinical, post-)◦ Residents◦ Fellows◦ Graduate Students◦ Faculty

What do they need? To what type of teaching are they

accustomed?

Planning to Teach a Small group: Who are your learners?

Where? When? How Long? Expected Feedback? Assessment or Grades?

Planning: Logistics

Your Leadership Role

Planning

First meeting of the group sets the style First meeting is critical… Operational Style

◦ Timeliness◦ Who speaks◦ Who can ask questions◦ Patterns of expected participation◦ Expectations for pre-group preparation◦ Level of stress…

Planning: Predictability & Consistency

HIGH STRESS>>>>Optimum<<<<Low Stress

Learning

>>>>>><<<<<

Planning: Level of Stress

You are no longer the “Star” Unpredictable…be prepared Harder to assess learners Sometimes a lecture would be a better

choice

Challenges

Fill out what you think the characteristics of the “best” small group TUTORS and best SMALL GROUPS were.

What do Students Want?

Define – what is the purpose of this group Coordinate Seek information Give information Seek opinions Test feasibility

General Tasks of the Teacher

Encourage discussion◦ Don’t forget about the silent member

Enable thinking out-loud Expect initial silence & fumbling Facilitate group identity Give feedback

◦ Public and private◦ When to embarrass, if ever…

Utilize and vary proven group techniques

Strategies

◦ 5 methodologies◦ How should you select one?◦ Advantages & Disadvantages of each◦ How do they work?

Form 5 sub-groups to analyze & report

Strategies: Small Group Techniques

What do each of the 13 tips mean to you? Review the Suggested questions to

stimulate discussion –> 9 sub-areas◦ Open-ended◦ Encourage group rather than individual answers◦ Prevent the leader from becoming “Google”…◦ Create discussion ◦ Incite “controversy”

Strategies: How to Ask Questions?

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” Be aware of the challenges and utilize

strategies to overcome them Understand what students want from small

groups Utilize novel small group strategies Learn how to ask questions that stimulate

discussion

Summary

Questions?