What is a Study Group?
In the first workshop for your Introduction to Film History module, you will be assigned to a study group with other students. Your group meets at regular intervals (usually once a week, before the next workshop) and is asked to complete a weekly task: on this module, the task in a short blog post, which you will write together in your group.
What are the benefits of Study Groups?
Study groups give you the chance to prepare for the workshop, and for your weekly seminar, so that you can make a constructive contribution to the whole group discussion. They encourage independent learning, and provide a less formal environment than a seminar to communicate and discuss and develop your ideas. A valuable part of your degree is learning to communicate clearly and effectively, and your study group can be the first and best place to hone your communication skills.
How should you arrange your meetings?
Use the first seminar to exchange contact details amongst the group, so that everyone is involved in arranging the meeting. Be sensitive to the needs of all members of your group, choosing times and locations that suit everybody. Make sure you choose appropriate venues for your meetings that facilitate undistracted discussion (busy cafes and pubs are unlikely to be wise choices when you have important work to discuss). Somewhere on campus is likely to be the most convenient location for everyone: you will need to make sure you have access to a computer and the internet in order to compose and post your blog entries.
What are the meetings for?
Study group meetings should help to focus your learning before the workshop and to prepare for your seminar. Meet with your group in person – it is not usually sufficient to exchange notes via email. Take attending the meetings seriously as you would a seminar or lecture. Use the study group to look at each weekly blog task together, and compose your blog post as a group. You might want to rotate responsibilities, taking it in turns to write sections, or varying who leads the discussion, so that everyone gets a chance to try different things.
What should you do if you have a problem with your Study Group?
You won’t always agree with each other, but no one should feel uncomfortable in the group and everyone should contribute to the workload. If you have any problems with someone not attending or doing their fair share, please bring this to the attention of your workshop tutor, seminar tutor or the module convenor. (Dr Lisa Stead / Dr Benedict Morrison).