Friday, December 26, 2008

Study in Groups - Benefit

Please watch the following video entitled "Battle at Kruger". Imagine that you are a pack of wild buffaloes, chilling out by the water(trying to score a good grade in Molecular and Cellular Biology). But you are being hunted by pride of hungry lions (your lecturer-me) who would like nothing better to make a quick snack of the weakest one of you. After crouching in the brush, they suddenly pounce (pop quiz) and grab a hold of the smallest one of you (the student with the highest course load and the weakest).
Two things can happen at this point: Either the rest of the pack of wildebeest will cut their losses and try to save themselves or they can go back and heroically battle the lions to save their fallen colleague. I am not going to ruin the video if you have not already viewed it, but I think you already know what happens.
Tips:
Studying in packs presents a number of benefits other than just altruistically helping a lesser student:
1. Studies have shown over and over that studying in groups directly leads to higher grades of all involved.
2. Studying in groups is generally more enjoyable for people, which leads to more time spent on the subject.
3. If you are weaker in one area of the course, you have the opportunity to have a peer explain it to you. Many students are more likely to understand a peer’s explanation over a stuffy professor’s (like me).
4. If you are stronger in one area of the course, you will strengthen your overall understanding of molecular biology by teaching it to someone else.


Of course, when you are choosing study partners on the Serengeti, you need to be very careful to stay away from the jackals. These are the students that are more parasite than human and will just leach off of your talents. They are more succubus than man and will not help you much. Finding ideal study partners that are interested in a good grade and are willing to put in the time necessary to achieve a good grade in the course is an informal way of doing things but there is a little problem. You have to help those who do not excel like you but how??
I will start by forming groups at random for you and you can do a peer group evaluation after each group discussion. Identify the strong ones from the weak ones. Then try to improve the group's performance with consecutive discussions.. All the best!!! Give your comments

37 comments:

mimpiku said...

weLL...im nt so sure about stdy group but at Least,im enjoying with it...for some reasons,i do aLso hate stdy group...this is because not aLL ppL are giving commitment...its hard to c0op when our stdy group invoLving a prson we dont Like...
and sometimes,we cant reLy on our aLLies...this happened to my friend when she/he have to finish aLL assignment on her/his own...
in your video,i considered as they are Lucky to have such aLLies..heLping with each other..

micheal moses said...

it was an awesome video clip that i haven seen! the video shown to me the power of team work and the strength of working together! if the buffalo can work united why cant we the human?that always think themselves better than other!

mustaqim said...

well....it's a good cooperation that have shown by a group of buffalo to save their friend in trouble....for me i'm not really ok to have a stdy group bcoz not all members fully participate and giv their cooperation...btu from that video,i prefer friend help friend in trouble and we can apply it in our stdy....c yaaa...arius...

e_d said...

it's was interesting video..that shown a cooperation and a relationship among the animal population..about study group,it's work efficiently when all group member are involve in their group discussion..once again,cooperation between group members are required.

teddypiqa's momy n dady said...

Thank you to Prof.Noor Aini,
Helping each other is such a good thing,but to be frank,im not so sure that study in the group will make everyone feel cmftble with each others,moreover if there are some people who cannot tolerate with the other group member,then it will become a fightng,,but,if we able to manage the study group well,i think it is better to make a study group rather than study by ourself,,we can share many information together,,,SHARING IS CARING :),,and we should always think positive to try out something that will make us bcome more success..insyaAllah,,

Unknown said...

This is a cool video.. We think that human are weak compared to animals.We really should study in one group.Cooperations among group members are beneficial.This video taught us the vital of love,and care.We are touched... From Group 7.

noor hidayah said...

Im enjoy watching the video,and i think,study group give more benefits than study by our self.We need to help each other to gain more knowledge.Moreover,study group will give us the sweetness memory among group members for the future,,

Unknown said...

This is a cool video.. We think that human are weak compared to animals.We really should study in one group.Cooperations among group members are beneficial.This video taught us the vital of love,and care.We are touched... From Group 7.

anthony teo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
anthony teo said...

nice video , from this video i more believe the power of team work , "united we stand , devided we fall" .........even animal know to help each other ,as human being we should learn from them .....

N Haslinda said...

A very good video indeed~ I just love on how much the hungry lions struggle to get their meal from the big crocodile... and for the baby buffalo, it's like someone that's weak in certain subject, got help from his/her friends through study group (from the wild buffaloes, yes ^^) In, the end, they all success! Nobody left behind~ This is such a good example for study group. They're strong when they grouped. So this should apply to us too~

Nurfazira Fajil said...

Salam. Alhamdulillah. After I had figured out many obstacles to give a comment in this side, I had given a chance to move forward and kindly shared comment with Prof. especially to all my classmates. The video is gorgeous and it can makes people like me off course understand deeply on how study in groups effects us in order to be a creative and innovative students in UTM. What can I say here, study group can also make us keep in touch together in order to achieve success together. To be frankly, study group not only to make we achieve the target to be success in study but it was deeply make our relationship become more strength and build a critical thinking for how the group to solve their problem regarding their life by sharing it. Thats all and thanks Prof. Salam. May Allah s.w.t bless.

ChocolateTeddy said...

First of all i would like to thank to Prof Noor Aini for giving opportunity for us to comment....For me it was a very good and strong video regarding study in groups.Its really motivate me to change my way of study right now which i think not good enough if i want to be excellent in the future.I always want the best for myself but i know we need friends in order to success....so, we need each other in sharing our knowledge...As shown in the video, do not let the weakest one down, but do take with us and create the great team...WE CAN DO IT!

Yue Rong said...

This video clip really fascinates me. At the attack of the lionesses, I thought they were going for the big buffalo that led. However the cub was caught. I could hear the groan of the small cub as it tried hard to get escape by getting into the river, but to no avail as there was a snapping crocodile awaiting. Surprisingly and feeling relieved, the cub survived after a few minutes of struggle. (This is parallel to us in the course of studies, we need to struggle against turbulances in order to excel)

The most touching part is when the whole troop of buffalos coming to the rescue of the little one. One of the lionesses was flung to the air! Cool! (I don't realy see this sort of unity spirit in human race. We are too timid to stand up for someone we know ie. friends or family when things happen. Usually, people just give up the 'outcast' and folow the majority.)

By Tan Yue Rong AQ090078

wei yie said...

It was awesome video.I think study in group is a good way of study. Furthermore,I think study in group is more interesting than study alone.

Because we can have revision and discussion together.We can share our knowledge together. We also can help each other in our study. U will be more understanding or master a particular topic when u teach your member of study group about that particular topic. U will also gain satisfaction when your member of study group able to understand topic that u teach.

But most important thing is study effectively during group studying. We can not keep talking other topic that do not relate to our study during group study.

So, therefore i think study in an group can make our study more interesting. From group 4.

salmah said...

that video is wow!they are animals but they have left humans far away behind them when it comes to team work and cooperation.i have not seen before anyone willing to sacrifice their life(gred/mark) in order to help their friends from being murdered(failed).they do help,but not like those buffalos.

in the end,the cub(weakest) survived.it is all because of the help from the troop of buffalos(friends).we can make it if we are in a group,insyallah.because surely the study will be more interesting and we can support each other in our 'up and down' in life so that we will not be deviated from the right path.

Unknown said...

Group 2- We all came to a point that this video clip has reflected the truth of our life. There are times when we feel helpless and hopeless in life (especially during studies) just like the baby buffalo, we all agreed that this is the time when friends should help each other. This video clip has taught us about the importance of team work, nothing is impossible if we work together as a team. Therefore, we can face whatever hardships together and achieve our goal easily.

Besides giving cooperation to the team leader, we should also play our part well as a team member by contributing and participating fully. We all think that we should share our knowledge that we have in order to help our friends during the study group..guide those who need help and make full use of each member's strengths in order to make this group working.

natasha said...

By the time the buffalo was caught by the lion, I thought it's the end of the story. But a few minutes later, I was shock that I was wrong! You'll never know how a group can led to a big miracle in saving one of their members. So, why not we give a chance to ourselves? (^_^)

..secretive.. said...

section 1_group 1

it is such a great analogy in form of video for us..it is interactive way and we think a lot when we'r watching it..when in group, usually we'll try to think a lot in order to ensure that we are not left behind of the other members..we'll give ourselves a good preparation before having a discussion..well, that's a boon for those who having it..but what i and the other members dislike about study group is they are people who are not committed in their works..it's not only that, there are people who look down on certain members and just giving their 'so-so' cooperation..so, how this study group thing going to work? well, for this, we think that all the members should try to strengthen the bonds between them and try to give full cooperation and commitment too instead of trying to get all the knowledge alone..thus, a discussion held won't be peculiar and it will definitely be a succesful one :)

siti aishah said...

This is a very interesting video.
The situation shows that teamwork,cooperation is very important in a group,as for students,in a study group.
It is an advantage for the weak ones,as there will be group members who are good in studies that can help them.
Other than that,we cannot be greedy(like the crocodile) because at the end we cannot get anything.So,we must share what we have with others to success together.
From group 9 section 1.

NUR NAJIHA said...

It is a very good video that inspires me to study more efficiently after this.Cooperate among group members are very beneficial.

Unknown said...

i like study group but bfore that i want a stong team n also supportive member so that all works given can be completed efficient.
and also i want my team not more than 5 bcoz it will bring noise n will chat more than studying

Unknown said...

Firstly, I am very glad to have a lecturer( and of course, a dean as well) who is really concerned with her students performance in their studies right from the first week of this sem. As we all know study group has its pros and cons. Study alone also has its own outcome in our study. So if all of us could get rid of the cons and bring together the benefit side by organizing our time and perhaps, study the smart way, I believe that we can achieve our goal with flying colors.From good to better. From Better to THE BEST....From Group 2

Unknown said...

A splendid documentary which triggers us the crucial necessity of teamwork and courage...
i got a few points here:

1) who would have thought that the danger also came from a crocodile in the lake(if u guys noticed).."risk and mistakes is everywhere"

2) people think it was too late to save the situation but its "never too late"

3) The big buffaloes were not aware of their capability in the beginning..Obviously,if they knew, the lions don't even have a chance since the start.Even a sigle buffalo can make a knockout.

"Know your advantages and capability"

4) "Teamwork is Great"
Study group?..not in formal-yes
but with unsuitable members-no
Gender, language, and location can be a limiting factor
LoL.....This blog is fun =)

Unknown said...

well, that is a fantastic video that i haven seen. it show us when we are in group, we can be more united, more stong and more tough. it is the same way when we are in study group. we can share our knowledge among our friends. other than that, we can make our study in fun. that can make us more enjoy.

yeoh phaik chuen said...

It is indeed an extremely meaningful video clip that not only expressed the braveness of buffaloes but also the ultimate team spirit among them. When the baby buffalo was attacked by lions, a troop of buffaloes was running away. We thought they were not willing to rescue the baby buffalo because they don't want to be the next victim. (This phenomenon is commonly available in our daily lives.) After a few minutes, we were shocked when seeing the mother buffalo leading a troop of buffaloes to fight with the lions. From this video, we have learned intangible knowledge such as team spirit. We will fully apply this useful life skill in our life to be triumph in whatever does in the future. From group 9.

mariam said...

such an awesome ending~
we'd like to say that having a group for the purpose of study n discussing is juz like having our DNA template...everyone can be complimentary to each other..thus,why not give it a try!!
>>group 5

farah nadia said...

this is an awes0me vide0,, after watching diz vide0,, i g0t the message that stdy gr0up is imp0rtant,, bc0z there are several benefits by f0rming a study gr0up,, firsly,, we will get an opp0rtunity to discuss c0urse material to unc0ver areas of c0nfusion, gain new insights, and aid in mem0rizati0n and other than that,, we should supp0rt others or in other w0rd help each others,, lastly,, we als0 should help the weak ones,,

Yuwei said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Yuwei said...

This is an ordinary video clip that we used to watch on National geography but we never thought of it can be applied on group study.Prof. really inspire us a lot.

After we watched the video,we realized that although human being are known to be most advance among animals yet human being are the most selfish.We are not used to share on what we have learned indeed we will gained more advantage when we study in group.

When we study in group,we are applying the 'input and output' method while this method is also the most effective way in our learning process.We gain more knowledge during our discussion because everyone will have different idea and some may have very creative point.On the same time,we can only teach or share with others when we really understanding something,this is known as output. >>From group 8

LoOnG Er 龙儿 said...

Nothing much i wan to say,Indeed,it is a awesome video.It shows the reality in this world which is "the great power of unity".Do remember,A stick is easy to break,but when 10 sticks are tied together,they are hard to break

Unknown said...

Salam.First of all, thanks for the interesting video.Indeed,study group is one of the effective ways in study.Have you all noticed when we try to explain or teach our friends about something, we will understand better.That is the power of study group as the old saying goes 'two heads are better than one'.In study group,each member has different kind of ideas.Thus,discussion play it roles here so that we can learn from each other.For me,the most important tip to make sure the study group works effectively is prepared ourselves first.To be frankly,success always depends upon preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.GROUP 3 SQG(^_^)

Chai Fung said...

After watching the video clip, we all think that team work is essential to work out things especially assignment. besides, group discussion can help to a certain extent as by sharing knowledge, inquiry regarding lesson can be solved, it saves time in the learning process. however, group study can be only be most effective or achieve goal when all group members are prepared before attending. By Group 2, section 2.

seo said...

This video is really astonishing.It consist of moral value such as love,teamwork,bravery,determination....
All those buffaloes act to protect each other,how bout human beings?we must learn to share things with others rather than keeping it to ourself.Although our friends may need our help frequently,someday we may be the one asking others for help too.Through group study we may share our knowledge and solving problem together.This method not only effectively save time,energy but oso creating stonger bond between friends....

BZ Wong BUBU popiah said...

First of all , I would like to thank to prof Noor Aini for giving us opportunity to comment on tis video.
For me , I think study in group is better than study alone ,because while study in group we can have group discussion ,exchange our opinion and so on. Furthermore , based on this video team work , cooperation and truth each other are very important in group ( like buffaloes group) , and as for student in a study group. Moreover , there have benefit in group discussion for thw person who are weak in some subject. This is because the stronger one can help the weaker one while in group discussion .
Besides, I feel very stress on this semester , I feel all subjects are very difficult . But I will try my best to do well and I hope I can get the good result with flying color. From , 1 SQB, WONG SHI TING. THANK YOU……

Sanguine.Will said...

united we stand and seperated we fall :) I think if we all contribute in a study group,we can make each other stronger and learn something better.Things to prevent during group study is useless chit-chat :) I hope this will work among all the groups!! Work Hard and thanks prof!

1SQB William Chong Wei Lun

Unknown said...

owesome...actually i like the tiger...its prove us, if we live n help each other..we can make our selves mofe safety n alive