Facilitating Active Engagement of the University Student in a Large-Group Setting Using Group Work Activities

It is envisaged that small-group exercises as part of a large-group session would facilitate not only group work exercises (a valuable employability skill), but also peer learning. In this article, such a strategy to facilitate the active engagement of the student in a large-group setting was explored. The production of student-led resources was facilitated through introduction of a group project into an established core module. Whether this initiative enhanced student engagement with the module material and fostered the additional benefit of promoting a peer learning culture was examined. Student feedback was analyzed to determine the perceived benefits and challenges of small group exercises. Albeit on a small scale, this has given rise to recommendations pertinent to large group modules in the university setting. A key recommendation is the introduction of university group assignments, when appropriate to the module type and inclusion of a peer assessment element.