A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Enhancing academic and Practice

80 ❘
Teaching, supervising, learning
This list has been adapted from several sources, but owes much to Habeshaw et al. (1988),
who also provide a more detailed description of particular methods.
There are several approaches not mentioned above that may be used in small or large
groups. Case studies, problem classes and demonstrations fall into this category. The
main determining factor is the amount of interaction that is desirable. Apart from this it
is necessary to ensure that in a larger group all members can see, hear, and so on. Resource
issues have forced some ‘small groups’ to become larger than is viable, thus risking a loss
of much of the benefit.
Case study 1: The use of small groups on an
undergraduate music degree at the University of Ulster
Course: B.Mus. (Hons)
Year of Study: 2
Module: Renaissance Studies
Delivery: lectures/classes, seminars and workshops
Class size: 20–25 students
Seminar programme
For this part of the module the class is divided into five groups. The tutor,
ensuring a mix of personalities, determines the formation of the groups. Each
group delivers two presentations to the whole class. The higher of the two marks
awarded contributes towards the module assessment. The assessment criteria
are negotiated with the class. Each group is asked to maintain a diary, recording
meetings and discussions and their management of particular tasks.
Structure of each one-hour seminar
Group presentation (15–20 minutes). Listening groups consider presentation and
agree questions (10 minutes). Questions and discussion (15 minutes). Reports
completed (10 minutes).
As the presentation is a group endeavour, groups are encouraged to involve each
member, not only in the presentation and delivery but also in the response to
questions during the seminar. Students are reminded to think of interesting ways
in which the presentation might be delivered to engage the attention of their
audience. The ‘presentation’ might take the form of a panel discussion or a debate,
or it might be modelled on a game show programme. Each presenting group is
required to submit a one-page summary one week prior to the seminar. This is
copied to the other groups to familiarise them with the treatment of the topic.