J. W. Morgan

Study Group Guidelines

The Study Group contract is available to on campus students only. Online students must consult the online course for “study opportunities” relevant to the course.

Participation in out of class study groups is voluntary; however I strongly suggest you consider forming a group for several reasons:

1. Research has shown that the more actively involved students are with the material being presented, the higher the retention rate for that material. For example, lecture (5%), reading (10%), and audiovisual (20%) have the lowest rates, while Demonstration (30%), discussion group (50%), practice by doing (75%), and teaching others (90%) increase the retention rate significantly. Many of these higher percentage skills are those used in a cooperative classroom and in study groups.

2. While study groups are voluntary, they are the only form of extra credit available in this class. The material I have created for the study groups will be available to all students, but only those students who complete the work with a study group will be eligible for the extra credit.

3. Because this is a cooperative classroom, we will do much of our work in small discussion groups. Any absence will result in your receiving a 0 for that class participation grade. The only form of a make up for one (and only one) of those absences is successful participation in a study group.

Study group criteria:

1. The study group must consist of no fewer than 2 and no more than 4 people from the class.

2. The study group must meet no fewer than twice for the quiz/test that the group is studying for.

3. A study group contract must be completed and turned in at the time of the quiz/test. A separate contract must be completed for each quiz/test.

4. All members of the study group must participate in completing the study packet. The work should be completed using the cooperative model used in class (i.e. taking turns writing answers, looking up information, etc.)

StudyGroup Contract

The students listed below have agreed to create a study group (of no less than 2and no more than 4 people) and to meet together (no fewer than twice) to study for exam # ________ that will be given on _______________(date). The group members must provide me with a list of the dates/times they met, an accurate roll sheet of who attended, any papers/worksheets they used in the study session, and a description of the group’s progress & topics covered. If all members of the group contribute to the study sessions and earn a score of 80 or higher on the exam, then they will all be awarded 5 extra credit points on that exam. This contract and the additional paperwork must be filled out and returned to me on the morning of the exam.

Student Names:

Dates & times of meetings(including who attended)