The Benefits of Small Group Lessons

By Megan Collins, Writing Symphony Teacher

The COVID-19 pandemic brought online learning to the forefront of educational discussions and research. Some students found great success with online learning and others struggled. However, many parents and students have found that, even if they prefer in-person daily learning, online supplemental education courses provide students with a broader selection of learning opportunities. Primarily, there are three types of online courses that are available: pre-recorded, private, and small group lessons. Although I have had the privilege of being either a student or teacher for each of these categories and hope to shed insight based on my experiences, I can say that the small group lessons are most beneficial to both students and teachers.

Pre-Recorded Lessons

The first type of online class that is commonly offered is the pre-recorded lesson. For this type of class, the teacher will record themselves teaching a series of lessons on a certain topic then upload it onto a platform for users to purchase.

Exploring my newfound hobby of watercolor painting, I opted to try these pre-recorded art lessons. It was extremely convenient because I could “go” to class anytime I wished. However, this convenience was also the downfall to my success. Despite being eager to finally learn how to paint under the instruction of a world-renowned artist, the lack of accountability quickly led to my brushes collecting dust in my junk drawer.

Unfortunately, there is no sense of working directly with a teacher or having their support along the way. If you or your young learner are considering pre-recorded lessons, be aware that self-discipline and a high level of learning independence are key factors to long-term commitment and success in a pre-recorded learning environment.

Private Lessons

A private lesson is another path one may trek to receive quality education via the world wide web. In my experience, I have taught English as a Second Language in a private setting. I loved being able to focus my attention on a single student at a time. This helped us develop a strong teacher-student relationship quickly. However, students are missing out on a valuable opportunity to interact with their peers. A series of studies by The University of Minnesota revealed that “more students are motivated to learn… when they work together, cooperatively, than when students compete or work alone, individualistically” (Encouraging Student/Student Interaction | NARST).

I pride myself in being a relatable and enthusiastic educator, but I cannot replace the type of bond that classmates build with one another. Although the private lesson option creates a solid teacher-student relationship, students miss learning from each other and interacting with their peers to grow socially as they grow academically. This is the reason why I transitioned into the third type of online lesson during my teaching career.

Small Group Lessons

Finally, there are small group lessons, which occur live and usually have anywhere from two to six students. These types of lessons are often overlooked because from the outside looking in it may not seem as flexible or student-centered. Based on my two years of experience as a teacher of such lessons, however, I am here to tell you that those observances are myths! There are several gems when it comes to small group learning.

1. Students collaborate with their peers during every lesson. This must be the best part of small group lessons, especially when it comes to writing lessons. Brainstorming sessions can involve passionate debates, hysterical laughter, or even moments of deep reflection. According to Darmouth’s Institute for Writing and Rhetoric, “Collaboration helps students understand writing as a public, communal act, rather than as a private, isolated one” (“Collaborative Learning/Learning With Peers”). Writing is an art that should be presented to an audience, so creating a space for students to collaborate and share their ideas is one of the primary benefits of small group learning.
2. Group lessons reinforce students’ understanding of concepts. During our real-time homework checks where each student shares their writing in front of the class, “… students have to field questions about their writing. They have to explain and sometimes defend their writing strategies.” (“Collaborative Learning/Learning with Peers”) This can be difficult for students in the beginning since it’s not a typical part of writing classes in school. After it becomes an expected and normalized part of each lesson, though, the students gain confidence with receiving feedback and articulating their writing decisions. Over time, they become more conscious of their writing before it is even presented.
3. Lessons can be modified to meet the needs of students. Many people limit this feature solely to private lessons, but, in my experience, it is possible with groups of two to six students. In fact, it’s necessary! I must stress that this is not a skill that just anyone can do. It takes a certified, experienced teacher to know when a concept requires more attention than others. The teacher must also be able to adapt the lesson so that they are still able to challenge the more confident writers.

There are pros and cons to each type of online course, and it can be daunting to decide which may be the right fit for you and your learner. Nevertheless, if you are considering diving into any one of these exciting options, I hope that small group lessons are now at the top of your list! At Writing Symphony, all of our class enrollments max at 6 students, providing both students and teachers the opportunity to develop strong relationships, collaborate, and learn from each other as they develop into confident, competent, and courageous communicators.

Works Cited

Encouraging Student/Student Interaction | NARST. narst.org/research-matters/encouraging-student-interaction.

“Collaborative Learning/Learning With Peers.” Institute for Writing and Rhetoric, 19 Nov. 2020, writing-speech.dartmouth.edu/teaching/first-year-writing-pedagogies-methods-design/collaborative-learninglearning-peers.