Study circles in programming courses

In the courses Introduction to Programming and Java Programming the students are encouraged to do the course exercises in study circles.

In the first exercise session the students of the group will be divided (possibly in a self-organising manner) into groups of 3-5 persons known as study circles. Each group will solve the current assignments together between exercise group meetings.

In the beginning of the first exercise group meeting, after the study circles have been formed, a circle will choose its name. Then it will give the group's name, along with members' names and e-mail addresses, to the teacher. The time and place of the first circle meeting will be decided, right after the circle has been formed, by the circle members themselves.

In its exercise group the circle will mark all the assignments it has completed - to the checklist - as a whole. Each member will get the points of the group. However, only the members who are present in the exercise session are allowed to mark any exercises to the checklist.

The study circle members will get the most out of the study circle practice if they gather every week during the course at least once, and ponder the assignments themselves. However, if the need arises, there is a possibility to obtain support from a teacher.

Rules and practices:

• Every study circle will think of a name for itself and announce the circle name and the participants' names and e-mail addresses to their teacher
• A study circle will mark exercises as a circle: each circle member will get the the points of their circle.
• A study circle will present their assignments as a group in the exercise sessions.
• Each member of the circle must be present at the exercise group meetings. Only the members who are present can mark exercise points in the checklist.
• Each study circle will choose their meeting times and places, as well as their working habits, independently. Some advice may be available by asking the course teachers
• If in need of counselling, a circle can contact the course study circle instructor to fix a meeting time and place
• All changes in a circle's line-up must be agreed with the teacher of circle's exercise group
• Last assignment in the last exercises of the course will be study circle's self-assessment

Ideas and good-willed advice

• Each study circle will arrange its routines very independently. The number, duration and place of meetings are to be chosen freely, although the meeting time of the exercise group must be taken into account
• Circles may gather in department's student rooms or workstation rooms, but also cafeterias, bars, participants' homes etc. are possible
• A fixed weekly meeting time is probably a good idea
• It is advisable to ponder the assignments in private before the circle meetings; thus the participant will be able to contribute more for the group work and to benefit more from the group work him/herself
• Sometimes dividing assignments between circle members would be appropriate. It is nevertheless advisable to familiarize oneself with each assignment
• groupworking should be constructivem when: (*
• adequate and efficient help and support is given to other members
• each member has confidence in the other members
• the group members are encouraged to spend effort for the common goal
• information and material is shared and methods of work are explained
• each member is given feedback to help them accomplish their assignments
• other members will be encouraged
• to achieve a high level of problem solving and insight, the arguments and conclusions of other members can be challenged
• disagreement is not a valid reason for not listening to others' ideas
• each member should be prepared to change his/her mind
• let the issues argue, not persons