Here you will read about the concept of group tutoring, how it is structured, and anticipated student outcomes. For additional information about tutoring sessions, enrollment, and meeting times, please return to our group tutoring home page.

Faculty-Monitored Group Tutoring: An Overview

Studies have shown that group work enhances learning (remember... we learn 95 percent of what we teach others).  Although college students often study in groups, and nursing students are no exception, it is widely known that not all study groups are effective. In fact, unless the group stays focused, studying with others can actually waste precious time -- something no nursing student can afford. Faculty-monitored group tutoring was developed to help students achieve the maximum benefit from working with others. Group tutoring accomplishes this end by helping students focus on content and form a productive group.

One of the most common frustrations of nursing students is not knowing "what" or "how" to study. Faced with an overwhelming amount of content, students often rely on previously successful learning methods, such as fact memorization and "skimming" of textbook readings. Unfortunately, these strategies leave students ill-prepared to apply their knowledge to practice in the clinical setting or in simulations of clinical situations presented in theory tests. The goal of group tutoring is twofold: to help students focus on essential information, and to use this information to assess patient needs and plan appropriate interventions.

Recognizing essential information is not always easy for beginning nursing students. Unit packets, textbook readings, and lecture/audiotape notes provide an enormous amount of material.  While all data is important, some information commands greater attention than others. Faculty-developed study guides have been created to assist the student in distinguishing between essential and nonessential content. Each weekly guide offers study questions that help the student review class material effectively. The guides highlight major concepts presented in class that week -- focusing the student on "what" to study.

Knowing what information to study, however, is not enough. Nursing students must be able to apply facts or concepts to patient situations; they must be able to use the information correctly. The study guides have been designed to help students in this area as well. Study questions provide students with situations or problems that require them to apply their knowledge and critical thinking skills -- elements that are essential to success in a real or simulated practice setting.

Interaction with faculty members during group sessions is a yet another effort to ensure that students focus and use content effectively. Reviewing study questions, monitoring group functioning, and explaining difficult concepts each play an important role for our nursing faculty and provide dual advantages. Students benefit when concepts are clarified for them on a one-to-one basis, and all three processes stimulate critical thinking and encourage discussions amongst their peers; faculty obtain valuable insight into how students interpret content and how they structure their study time.

Forming a Productive Group

As mentioned previously, not all groups are effective or productive. Sometimes group members do not communicate well, resulting in a lack of group productivity. Other groups may have members who are friendly with each other, but spend so much time socializing that little work gets done. Neither situation is desirable.

Learning to work effectively with peers is an important part of group tutoring. During the first week of tutoring, students learn basic information about group functioning and productivity. Instructors discuss the importance of active participation and follow up with strategies for accomplishing this goal. Techniques to maintain communication among members are discussed, and group standards are established a few weeks after the groups have met. Periodic "group checks" during the semester help ensure group cohesiveness and productivity. Previous student feedback has demonstrated that time spent on maintaining group health is well spent. In fact, many of the study groups remained intact during the entire nursing program.

Group tutoring sessions are held each week. Content from that week's Monday and Wednesday classes is explored via the faculty-developed study guides, described in the "focus on content" section of the Overview of Faculty-Monitored Group Tutoring segment.  Although online tutoring offers the student greater time flexibility, adhering to the weekly schedule is necessary in order to be a contributing member of the group.

Group interaction via chat sessions is an exciting component of online group work. Students and faculty are able to discuss answers to study guide questions and clarify difficult concepts during "real time" chats. Chat times will be established once all members of the group have an opportunity to review their schedules and determine when group interaction would be most convenient. We will do the best we can to accommodate everyone, but most likely all members will have to compromise a little. More detailed information about the setup of online group tutoring and how to join can be found under "Online Group Tutoring" located on the group tutoring home page.

By now, you probably have many questions about online group tutoring. Perhaps the most common question (and possibly the most pragmatic) is: "What's in it for me?"  Why should a student spend at least two hours a week sharing information with others? How will the student know if this type of study really works?

Research has shown that group work deepens and lends clarity and meaning to the learning process in the nursing program. Improved test scores and increased student retention have been linked to group tutoring. Students report that discussing information with others helped them gain a greater understanding of content, allowing them to view material "another way." Many students felt that working with a faculty-monitored group helped them "learn to think."

Only the individual can determine whether group tutoring is beneficial. Quite honestly, group work does not appeal to everyone. Some people prefer to work alone, while others may have tried group work, only to find it frustrating or disappointing.  While we won't try to convert the "loners," there is hope for those individuals who have had unhappy experiences with working in groups. An important component of group tutoring is learning group skills. Although past student outcomes have been positive, the only way to know if group tutoring will help you is if you try it!