Virtual Study Groups

Explore, learn, and find your fit with three ways to create virtual study groups: Canvas Prides, Office 365, and Zoom.

1. Canvas Prides

You can create and manage your own groups called Prides within Canvas. Prides are appropriate for study groups that include students from multiple sections or courses within the same discipline. Each individual is limited to creating 10 Prides.

If privacy is a concern, Prides allow you to create a password and distribute that to study group members.

2. Office 365

Office 365 provides a full suite of collaboration tools that can be useful in your study groups.

These tools include document sharing (OneDrive) and space for asynchronous and synchronous discussion (Teams). Both instructors and students can set up Teams.

3. Zoom

Zoom allows you to engage in real time via audio or video. You can create regularly scheduled times to meet via recurring meetings and add these scheduled meetings to your Canvas calendar with a Zoom link. Providing this link allows your group members to know where to be and when.

When using Zoom, be aware of bandwidth and webcam related issues, and consider creating groups by regions or time zones.

Study Group Guidelines

Form Your Groups

  • Identify 4–5 interested students from your class.
  • Be mindful that friends may not make the best study partners.
  • Be considerate of students in different time zones.
  • Ask your instructor for advice as needed.

Establish Ground Rules

  • Limit meeting time or build in breaks to maintain productivity.
  • Meet weekly for consistent progress.
  • Decide how you will communicate (ex., text, email, GroupMe).
  • Establish an agenda with goals for each meeting.
  • Determine group member roles and responsibilities:
    • Have a facilitator to send meeting reminders/agendas and run meetings.
    • Designate a liaison to communicate with instructor/TA.
    • Establish a timekeeper to keep the group on task and cover agenda.
  • Set common expectations for all group members.
  • Uphold academic integrity:
    • Set and agree to the standards: don’t communicate during exams and don’t discuss the exam until everyone has it completed.
    • Ask the instructor for guidelines on homework help.
    • Determine steps if someone violates the agreed-upon standards.

Use Effective Learning Strategies

  • Review content and class notes, complete practice problems and discuss your answers with the group.
  • Create concept maps and study guides.
  • Study material in multiple ways and quiz each other.
  • Teach each other.