Skip to main content

Facilitating Small Group Learning

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Teaching Anatomy

Abstract

Small group teaching has been extensively employed in the teaching of human anatomy. Small group discussions are utilized in laboratory classes, tutorials, team-based learning, and problem-based learning. Tutorial classes reinforce what students have been taught during lectures and what they have observed during laboratory classes. Teaching in a small group setting, such as a tutorial, encourages participation of students, improves interpersonal and communication skills, reaches out to students with different learning styles, and helps in developing accountability to others. A well-organized small group teaching session is dependent not only on the content for discussion but also on the group dynamics. In this regard, the tutor plays a crucial role in facilitating group dynamics during small group discussions. In a tutorial setting, the tutor should be student centered, ensure balanced interaction among students while trying to involve every student during the discussions, and establish a conducive environment for learning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bay BH, Ling EA. Teaching of anatomy in the new millennium. Singap Med J. 2007;48(3):182–3.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Ahmed K, Rowland S, Patel V, Khan RS, Ashrafian H, Davies DC, et al. Is the structure of anatomy curriculum adequate for safe medical practice? Surgeon. 2010;8(6):318–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Ang ET, Sugand K, Hartman M, Seow CS, Bay BH, Abrahams P. Singapore’s anatomical future: quo vadis? Anat Sci Educ. 2012;5(4):234–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. McBride JM, Drake RL. National survey on anatomical sciences in medical education. Anat Sci Educ. 2018;11(1):7–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Drake RL, McBride JM, Lachman N, Pawlina W. An update on the status of anatomical sciences education in United States Medical Schools. Anat Sci Educ. 2014;7(4):321–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Patel KM, Moxham BJ. Attitudes of professional anatomists to curricular change. Clin Anat. 2006;19(2):132–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Rizzolo LJ, Rando WC, O’Brien MK, Haims AH, Abrahams JJ, Stewart WB. Design, implementation, and evaluation of an innovative anatomy course. Anat Sci Educ. 2010;3(3):109–20.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Michael J. What makes physiology hard for students to learn? Results of a faculty survey. Adv Physiol Educ. 2007;31(1):34–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Arroyo-Jimenez Mdel M, Marcos P, Martinez-Marcos A, Artacho-Perula E, Blaizot X, Munoz M, et al. Gross anatomy dissections and self-directed learning in medicine. Clin Anat. 2005;18(5):385–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Nieder GL, Parmelee DX, Stolfi A, Hudes PD. Team-based learning in a medical gross anatomy and embryology course. Clin Anat. 2005;18(1):56–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Chan LK, Ganguly PK. Evaluation of small-group teaching in human gross anatomy in a Caribbean medical school. Anat Sci Educ. 2008;1(1):19–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Carvalho H, West CA. Voluntary participation in an active learning exercise leads to a better understanding of physiology. Adv Physiol Educ. 2011;35(1):53–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Bobby Z, Koner BC, Sridhar MG, Nandeesha H, Renuka P, Setia S, et al. Formulation of questions followed by small group discussion as a revision exercise at the end of a teaching module in biochemistry. Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2007;35(1):45–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ward PJ. First year medical students’ approaches to study and their outcomes in a gross anatomy course. Clin Anat. 2011;24(1):120–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Bockers A, Jerg-Bretzke L, Lamp C, Brinkmann A, Traue HC, Bockers TM. The gross anatomy course: an analysis of its importance. Anat Sci Educ. 2010;3(1):3–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. McLachlan JC, Patten D. Anatomy teaching: ghosts of the past, present and future. Med Educ. 2006;40(3):243–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Older J. Anatomy: a must for teaching the next generation. Surgeon. 2004;2(2):79–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Pawlina W. Professionalism and anatomy: how do these two terms define our role? Clin Anat. 2006;19(5):391–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Wong WC, Tay SS. The teaching of anatomy: the first hundred years (1905–2005). Ann Acad Med Singap. 2005;34(6):72C–8C.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Michaelsen LH, Fink RH, Knight A. Designing effective group activities: lessons for classroom teaching and faculty development. In: Dezure D, editor. To improve the academy, vol. 16. Stillwater: New Forums Press and the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education; 1997. p. 373–97.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Vasan NS, DeFouw DO, Holland BK. Modified use of team-based learning for effective delivery of medical gross anatomy and embryology. Anat Sci Educ. 2008;1(1):3–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Vasan NS, DeFouw DO, Compton S. A survey of student perceptions of team-based learning in anatomy curriculum: favorable views unrelated to grades. Anat Sci Educ. 2009;2(4):150–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Woods NN, Neville AJ, Levinson AJ, Howey EH, Oczkowski WJ, Norman GR. The value of basic science in clinical diagnosis. Acad Med. 2006;81(10 Suppl):S124–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. DiLullo C, Morris HJ, Kriebel RM. Clinical competencies and the basic sciences: an online case tutorial paradigm for delivery of integrated clinical and basic science content. Anat Sci Educ. 2009;2(5):238–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Spaulding WB. The undergraduate medical curriculum (1969 model): McMaster university. Can Med Assoc J. 1969;100(14):659–64.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  26. Bate E, Taylor DC. Twelve tips on how to survive PBL as a medical student. Med Teach. 2013;35(2):95–100.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Gurpinar E, Kulac E, Tetik C, Akdogan I, Mamakli S. Do learning approaches of medical students affect their satisfaction with problem-based learning? Adv Physiol Educ. 2013;37(1):85–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Jones RW. Learning and teaching in small groups: characteristics, benefits, problems and approaches. Anaesth Intensive Care. 2007;35(4):587–92.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. De Haes JC, Oort FJ, Hulsman RL. Summative assessment of medical students’ communication skills and professional attitudes through observation in clinical practice. Med Teach. 2005;27(7):583–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Brown B. Myths and realities No. 26. Teaching style vs learning style. Educational Resources Information Center: Columbus; 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Alghasham AA. Effect of students’ learning styles on classroom performance in problem-based learning. Med Teach. 2012;34(Suppl 1):S14–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Moro C, Štromberga Z, Raikos A, Stirling A. The effectiveness of virtual and augmented reality in health sciences and medical anatomy. Anat Sci Educ. 2017;10(6):549–59.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Lee EA-L, Wong KW. A review of using virtual reality for learning. In: Pan Z, Cheok AD, Müller W, editors. Transactions on edutainment I. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 2008. p. 231–41.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  34. Lee GH, Lin CS, Lin YH. How experienced tutors facilitate tutorial dynamics in PBL groups. Med Teach. 2013;35(2):e935–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Azer SA. Facilitation of students’ discussion in problem-based learning tutorials to create mechanisms: the use of five key questions. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2005;34(8):492–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Frambach JM, Driessen EW, Chan LC, van der Vleuten CP. Rethinking the globalisation of problem-based learning: how culture challenges self-directed learning. Med Educ. 2012;46(8):738–47.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Joy S, Kolb DA. Are there cultural differences in learning style? Int J Intercult Relat. 2009;33(1):69–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Edmunds S, Brown G. Effective small group learning: AMEE guide No. 48. Med Teach. 2010;32(9):715–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Kane CM. Fishbowl training in group process. J Spec Group Work. 1995;20(3):183–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Jaques D. Teaching small groups. BMJ. 2003;326(7387):492–4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Eitington JE. The winning trainer. 4th ed. New York: Routledge; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Fry H, Ketteridge S, Marshall S. A handbook for teaching and learning in higher education. 3rd ed. New York: Routledge; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Race P. The lecturer’s toolkit. 3rd ed. Abingdon: Routledge; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Tricio J, Montt J, Orsini C, Gracia B, Pampin F, Quinteros C, et al. Student experiences of two small group learning-teaching formats: Seminar and fishbowl. Eur J Dent Educ. 2019;23:151–58.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Sarvary MA, Gifford KM. The benefits of a real-time web-based response system for enhancing engaged learning in classrooms and public science events. J Undergrad Neurosci Educ. 2017;15(2):E13–6.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  46. Kerns SC. Technological tools for library user education: one library’s experience. Med Ref Serv Q. 2007;26(3):105–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Dhaliwal HK, Allen M, Kang J, Bates C, Hodge T. The effect of using an audience response system on learning, motivation and information retention in the orthodontic teaching of undergraduate dental students: a cross-over trial. J Orthod. 2015;42(2):123–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Barrows HS. The tutorial process. Springfield: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine; 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Evans DJ, Cuffe T. Near-peer teaching in anatomy: an approach for deeper learning. Anat Sci Educ. 2009;2(5):227–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Duran CE, Bahena EN, Rodriguez Mde L, Baca GJ, Uresti AS, Elizondo-Omana RE, et al. Near-peer teaching in an anatomy course with a low faculty-to-student ratio. Anat Sci Educ. 2012;5(3):171–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Joslin S. Perceptions of anatomy education—a student’s view. Anat Sci Educ. 2008;1(3):133–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Boon Huat Bay .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Bay, B.H., Tay, S.S.W., Srinivasan, D.K. (2020). Facilitating Small Group Learning. In: Chan, L.K., Pawlina, W. (eds) Teaching Anatomy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43283-6_15

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics