Other students may act as group leaders, initiating and directing discussion. See also 'Group Presentations'. In small group discussions, students work in small groups to analyse a particular topic. This mode is suitable for active discussion in a large class, or where there are particular special interest groups. In this mode, students are grouped into pair, or dyads , and work together on an assigned task.
Dyads are useful early in a course because they provide peer support and act as icebreakers.
Students realise that they have contact with another person with similar problems and fears. After coming to grips with the dyad, students can progress to larger groups. Learning circles are used for student collaboration on major tasks, such as a research project. The optimum size is 3 to 4, and this mode requires students to clearly define tasks, decision making, roles and timelines. The most effective learning comes from teaching others.