Constructing Small Groups which Engage Students in Discussing Difficult Justice Topics: An Experience Based Approach

• In Event: Posters I

Abstract

The author presents a guide to creating small groups in upper division courses which promote an engaged learning experience. The author had been using ad hoc small groups successfully for many years, the groups being formed randomly over the course of a semester. The small groups provided students the opportunity to discuss the topic at hand by injecting a personal perspective and debating conflicting views presented by others. The author discovered Progressive Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) and for the last 10 years he has employed POGIL in many different Justice classes, both lower division and upper division. POGIL provides a structure and purpose to the small group experience that greatly enhances many of the fundamental qualities of a successful course and student learning experience as well as an opportunity to acquire group-based skills so necessary in working in the Justice field. The author provides guidance in the construction of successful small groups and presents a short summary of student feedback on the technique.

Author

• Allan R. Barnes, University of Alaska Anchorage