Self-directed student groups and college learning

Studies conducted by the author are reported in which small self-directed groups of college students assumed the major responsibility for their learning in college courses. Other similar studies are reported and summarized. These studies all indicate that self-directed small group study does not result in any decrement in subject matter mastery in the college learning experience. Furthermore, a number of measurable benefits appear in terms of other desirable outcomes of the overall small-group experience. Such educational outcomes as interest in reading material related to the course and its assignments, quantity and quality of study invested in the courses, increased communicative and interpersonal skills, sense of responsibility for one's own growth and learning, greater enthusiasm for the small-group experience, improvement in critical thinking, greater awareness of applications of study material, and lasting curiosity aroused by the learning, all appear persistently in favor of the self-directed student groups. Observations of self-directed groups in action and some implications for policy decisions in higher education are given.