Small Group Teaching: Perceptions and Problems

Abstract

Seminars and tutorials are a standard part of delivering teaching in politics departments. However, the range of methods used in such small groups is wide and varied as are the perceptions of the purpose of small group teaching (SGT). On the basis of interviews with students and lecturers, we highlight important differences between what lecturers hope to achieve and what students expect to learn in these sessions. We aim to provide a better understanding of the cause of common problems in SGT and to explore how teaching staff might address these shortcomings to maximise the success of small group teaching.