Study Circles

Study circles use the experiences of ordinary people in small discussion groups of between five and ten members. They work better than other kinds of voluntary education for people who aren't used to study. Here's a list of principles on how study groups work:

They are egalitarian.

• Group members are equal and power belongs to all, not just one.
• All members are both teachers and students. There are no 'teachers' or 'textbooks'’.
• Members are free to develop their inherent capabilities.

They are collaborative.

• Members help each other, work together, and share progress and setbacks. They do not compete, and it is a safe environment. The group aims to identify common ground, but does not need consensus.
• They do not begin with specific desired outcomes. The group is free to set its own objectives that recognize the individual interests of all members. Even so, the group still has frameworks and responsibilities.
• There are no imposed limitations on how often the group meets, but good resources will encourage continuity. Members develop goals, but may change them upon if they all agree.

They are learning environments.

• They focus on learning about a particular topic or issue
• Study circles assume that people have an innate desire to learn. They are for people who want to learn, explore options, instigate change, and act, whether as groups or as individuals.
• Members use printed study material that they get beforehand for session preparation. The material should be short, simple, concise and relevant, with stimulating discussion questions that require analysis. The materials give a foundation on which group members can base their activities, both during and between sessions.
• Members learn best when they participate actively in conversation, cooperation and joint responsibility
• Participants never have enough knowledge and experience. In order to progress, they constantly need to get new information by checking facts, reading study material, going on field trips, consulting specialists, etc.

Discussion guidelines

1. Listen carefully and actively.
2. Maintain an open mind.
3. Try hard to understand the point of view of those with whom you disagree.
4. Help keep the discussion on track.
5. Speak freely, but don’t dominate.
6. Talk to the group as a whole, not the leader/co-ordinator.
7. If you don’t understand, say so.
8. Value your own experience and understanding.
9. Be prepared to disagree.
10. Don’t become aggressive.

 

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Adapted from pp. 115-119 "The Study Circle. Participatory Action Research, With and For the Unemployed." Mark Brophy, Ph.D. dissertation, Victoria University, 2001
Published by Australian Digital Theses Program:
http://www.wallaby.vu.edu.au/adt-VVUT/public/adt-VVUT20020328.105926/index.html Viewed 6 June, 2007
See also Brophy's references.