Fewer study group supervisors due to spending cuts

One study start area affected by cutbacks will be the reduction of study group supervisors (SGSs) from three to two per core group.

Since the appointment of SGSs for study start 2016 is already underway, it has been decided to begin right away.

The reduction in the number of SGSs will mean that each SGS will from now on have two groups to facilitate, each consisting of eight students (in contrast to one group of ten students as previously).

No difference for lecturers

The change is not expected to have a great impact on the daily business of lecturers, as they will continue to collaborate as before with SGSs and study groups. As previously, lecturers will set academic assignments for the study groups, which the study groups then complete in the timetabled study group sessions. Associate Professor and lecturer Jakob Møller-Jensen from BMB has no major reservations about the change:

    "I am very pleased that the reduction in number of SGSs isn't greater than it is. It will mean that the SGSs can still function as positive role models for the students as well as being a kind of culture-bearers, and that they can still carry out their primary task of ensuring the students' social connections with each other. I can also see that the function of the study groups, and therefore also the SGS role, will naturally change in the coming years, especially in line with our changing study programmes when the new admission forms come into effect from 2017. After that, I think the study groups will become more homogeneous in their composition, which will reduce the SGS's role as problem-solvers," says Jakob Møller-Jensen.

No cause for concern

Student Counsellor and Coordinator of Introduction Days Camilla Gundlach Kromann, who is responsible for study start at the Faculty administration, thinks that the solution that has been found will have the least possible impact on the students and SGSs.

    "Reducing the number of SGSs is a challenge. Especially because the concept is a success and has been evaluated as positive by the first-year students, so it's about building on the positive experiences and good results, even though it has to cost less. I am confident that we have found a solution where the study phase will still function well, and that the study group supervisors will still manage to support the students' academic and social integration. Some groups quickly become self-governing, and these groups to a greater extent can share one study group supervisor with another group," explains Camilla Gundlach Kromann.

With fewer SGSs at work, there could be concern that the SGS study job will be less attractive for the older students when they in the future are to be responsible for two groups instead of one. But according to the study group supervisors themselves, there is apparently no need for concern. Nelly Bjørnes, who is studying biomedicine and was a SGS in 2015, is in any case ready to be a SGS again in the autumn:

    "The change doesn't have to mean a loss of quality for the students; I actually think that the smaller groups will result in a better collaboration between them. That's why I'm not so worried about it."

SGSs are, however, also aware that there can be areas where the reduction in number of SGSs will present some problems. Particularly in relation to dysfunctional groups and the planning of study group sessions. In such cases, the SGSs' reduced time for each group will mean that they will not be able to get involved in the same way as before.

    "If there are to be fewer SGSs, it will be necessary to look at other forms of conflict resolution for the groups. In addition, it will be even more crucial to consider how the two SGSs are put together with each core group, as they will have to cover more students than previously. A reduced number of SGSs will also give less opportunity for them to cover each other as colleagues, which again makes the scheme a little less flexible. If an SGS is to have responsibility for two study groups, then clearly the same relationship with the students will not be possible. Therefore, the SGS must also reassess the role - and maybe introduce new techniques in order to better reach out to the individual student," explains Jesper Bork Berthelsen, who is studying pharmacy and is a former SGS.

The study group concept

The study group supervisor's function is primarily to facilitate group work in the study groups. In practice, facilitating the study group's work means supporting and promoting the group's productivity and collaboration.

The SGS's role to a high degree consists of equipping the group with the tools for good group work. In this way, they contribute to different learning activities and approaches or methods for handling potential collaboration problems.

In addition, they help to motivate the students in their studies and highlight the message that it is beneficial both academically and socially to be part of a study group. In the student's further studies, and particularly in their future jobs, they will work to a large extent in non-self-chosen groups.

During the first year, students have facilitated study group sessions (FSG sessions) where a study group supervisor supports the group work in order to achieve productive group work and good work processes, particularly in connection with the study phase of the three phase model.

Study phase

The aim is for the students to gain academic, personal and social experience that enables them to consolidate and further develop their scientific competences.

Individually or in groups, the students are immersed in projects and larger assignments. Here, the student's participation, personal engagement and responsibility for their own learning is at the centre.

Within the framework of a study group, the student has an independent responsibility for organising his/her study activities and using IT tools for the purposes of learning.