Fostering Learning in Small Groups A Practical Guide [Paperback]

Drawing on years of experience, the authors address the questions that educators may have about teaching small groups in the health professions. The first half of the book focuses on practical strategies involved in planning and facilitating learning in small groups. The authors discuss the characteristics of effective groups and emphasize the importance of using a collaborative approach. The second half focuses on planning for leading small groups that have specific purposes, such as providing a forum for discussion and dialogue, teaching communication skills, and helping learners to reflect on their patient care experience, and more. The book's broad orientation and practical emphasis will be useful to all educator in health care.

Westberg and Jason provide a most complete guide to small group content, indicating how it can be used for communicating skills, for problem solving, for enhancing clinical judgment, for honing attitudes, and for a variety of other desired educational outcomes. The text is replete with practical, down-to-earth information....I find this text a most valuable contribution to the educational literature for health professionals. One might parallel the advertising slogan by saying 'Don't begin instruction without it!' --
--Vincent A. Fulginiti, MD,Chancellor and Professor of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center

List of Appendixes
Foreword, Vincent A. Fulginiti, MD
Introduction
Acknowledgments
Part 1: Generic Concepts and Issues

1. Small Groups in Health Professions Education
2. Preparing for Leading Small Groups
3. Preparing Yourself for Leading Groups
4. Leadership Tasks, Challenges, and Strategies During Group Sessions
5. Coleading Small Groups

Part 2: Planning for and Leading Groups with Specific Tasks

6. Facilitating Discussions and Dialogues
7. Facilitating Problem-Based Learning Groups
8. Teaching Communication Skills