Seminars

& Tutorials
By the end of this section you should be able to :

BJECTIVES

ONTENTS

Maximise the benefits of formal group

learning

Prepare effectively for group sessions

Take notes swiftly and easily

Confidently contribute to group

discussion

Support productive group discussions

Easily follow up important information

and issues.

Seminars and tutorials

Definitions
The benefits
Other relevant sections
Your role in group discussion
Preparing for discussions
Taking notes
Contributing to a discussion
Helpful group members
After the group is over
Learning group checklist

eminars and tutorials

This section introduces you to the many different
aspects of working in seminars and tutorials. These
will constitute an important part of your studies,
often complementing the work you have undertaken
elsewhere.

Definitions
Seminars: These consist of several (fifteen to thirty)
students and one tutor with the emphasis upon
group discussion. Students are often asked to prepare presentations or discussion papers for the rest of
the group. These may form part of your assessment
programme.
Tutorials: During a tutorial you will work in a small
group with one tutor. Again, group sizes will vary
from approximately five to fifteen. Tutorials often
focus on one particular topic or an assignment that
you have been set.

The benefits
Participating in a group discussion will give you the
chance to :

Seminars & Tutorials 2

apply the knowledge you have gained

from your wider reading

clarify your ideas through discussion and

explanation

correct misunderstandings

support the work of others

gain validation for your ideas and theories

practise expressing yourself clearly

practise using technical language

learn from the ideas of others (tutors and

students)

Other relevant
sections
Students are frequently asked to undertake a wide
variety of seminar and tutorial activities. There are a
wide range of skills that you will need to develop in
order to get the most out of these formal learning
groups. The following sections of this guide may be
helpful:
Working in groups - setting ground rules, giving
feedback
Assessing others - effective and constructive peer
assessment
Making a presentation - planning and presenting
information
Making the most of lectures - taking notes, writing
and listening

Your role
The benefits of formal learning groups can only be
achieved if every participant assumes some responsibility for the group as a whole. This means that
everyone needs to :

prepare before a session

actively participate within that session

carry out the work arising from the

session

As with any group activity you need to be aware of

the needs and feelings of others.

Preparing for
discussions
Some degree of preparation will help you both gain
the most from your participation and increase your
ability to engage with the thoughts and discussions
generated within the group. When preparing for
such a group session you may wish to:

Seminars & Tutorials 3

Focus your mind on the session title or

topic.

Read any handouts or preparatory

materials you have been given.

Make links between the subjects due for

discussion and your other studies. The
seminar wont exist in isolation.

Think about what you dont already know

- what do you need to get out of this
discussion?

Prepare a list of questions and problems

that you would like discussed.

Ensure that you have successfully carried

out any tasks beforehand such as making
a presentation or preparing a reading list.

Taking
notes
If part of your seminar or tutorial is used for the
presentation of information, either by your tutor or
another student you should:

Take some notes

Avoid writing everything down
Concentrate on the presentation of the
material.

The important aspect of your seminars and tutorials

is that you actively participate and contribute your
thoughts and opinions. Obviously you cannot do this
if you are scribbling away in a note book!
Write down key words, issues or references when
you need to.

Keep these notes as brief as possible.

Jot down just enough to help you pick up
the threads at a later stage.
Use a skeletal structure to jot your ideas
down quickly and efficiently.

The Taking notes section of this study guide may

help you take more effective seminar notes.

Seminars & Tutorials 4

Contributing to
a discussion
The following points may help you make active
contributions to a group discussion:

Try not to be anxious about contributing discussion groups are to help you learn
rather than express existing expertise.

Contribute little and often - dont wait for

the 'big moment'. Discussions tend to
move quickly and your chance to contribute will have gone. Regular contribution is
more useful than weighty monologues.

Say something simple - everyone needs to

be focused rather than inspired.

Share the responsibility for the group

discussion - by keeping quiet or taking
over the discussion you are likely to
prevent others from learning effectively.

Be positive and helpful in communicating

with others - respect their ideas and
opinions, even if you do not share them.

Be aware of the group environment - be

able to recognise if you have spoken for
too long or if the group needs some
guidance.

Develop an understanding of the

necessary communication skills which can
help group discussion (and those
annoying habits that wont).

Helpful group
members
Every group needs someone who can lead, someone
who supports the group and someone who quietly
observes. Groups are made up of diverse individuals
and should be treated as such.
There are many simple communication skills that
will help you to make an effective contribution to
group discussions.

Seminars & Tutorials 5

Pay close attention to the discussion

Help other people expand their ideas

Ask questions to aid discussion

Let someone know when you agree with

their idea

Suggest alternatives where you disagree

Summarise the discussion to help

consolidate understanding and lay the
groundwork for new discussion

Smile, nod, make eye contact. But dont

frown, shake your head or snigger

Use this list to help raise your awareness of how

your discussion groups are working.
You may like to take a minute or two during your
next discussion group to assess how effective, or
otherwise, your group has been. Are some people
doing all of the talking? Are others sitting out of the
discussion? Are people taking too many notes? Are
people helping each other to learn?
Is there anything you can do to help improve the
group's success and efficiency?

After the group

is over
Once you have come out of the group discussion it is
very important that you take time to note down
everything that you have found interesting and
beneficial. It is all too easy to forget what happened,
thus making the time and effort redundant.
Expanding your notes and fleshing out key words or
themes will help you to consolidate your learning
and pinpoint areas of further work.
If any particular persons ideas struck you as being
particularly useful or their areas of interest matched
with yours dont be afraid to follow them up.
Arrange to meet up later, continue the discussion,
share each others ideas.

Seminars & Tutorials 6

Seminars
& tutorials
Seminars and tutorials offer you an ideal opportunity
to develop your subject understanding and ability.
Active, though sensitive participation within the
group session will further your skills and enhance
your learning.

Learning group
checklist
Before

Read - preparatory handouts / lecture

notes / relevant texts

Think - what do you know? - what do you

need to know?

Make links - how does this topic link with

your other work?

Make notes - what questions do you need

to ask?

During

Contribute your thoughts and ideas

Support the ideas of others

Jot down key words and references

Be aware of the group need - how do your

actions affect the group?

After

Write up thoughts and ideas

Chase up interesting ideas and opinions meet informally with other students.

Seminars & Tutorials 7

Seminars & Tutorials 8