Study circle
A study circle is a small group of people who meet multiple times to discuss an issue. Study circles may be formed to discuss anything from politics to religion to hobbies with a minimum of 7 people to a maximumof 15.these study circles are formed by a study circle organiser, and are led by a study circle leader. Study circle doesn't have a teacher. They are differentiated from clubs by their focus on exploring an issue or topic rather than on activities or socializing. When they emerged in the early twentieth century they were based on a democratic approach to self-education and were often linked to social movements concerned with temperance or working class emancipation.[1]
Basics
Study circles are typically created by persons who discover a common interest; other study circles may be created to analyze and find solutions to social, political, or community problems.
Often there is no teacher, but one member usually acts as facilitator to keep discussion flowing and on track, and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to become as involved as he or she desires to be. Reading material and audio/visual aids are often used to stimulate dialogue.
Study circles may be introductory level, advanced level, or any level in between. Study circles may be sponsored or assisted by
While there is no one right way to do a study circle, organizations such as Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center) have published simple and suitable dialogue methods for creating deeper understanding, for weighing options and making choices, or for making recommendations that lead to action.[2]
Study circles allow complex topics to be broken down into manageable parts. Single session programs can result in meaningful and productive dialogue, but study circles usually involve multiple sessions in order to fully investigate the question at hand. However, a study by Staffan Larson in 2001 concluded that while study circles foster participation they are only partly successful as civic change vehicles since their power to influence social action can be weak.[3]
History and evolution
In the early 19th century,
In Sweden today study circles are a mass phenomenon and have broad national support.
Study circles have been employed as a change process and development activity within corporations.[10] Some of the same ideas and concepts of community study circles can be applied to internal issues such as diversity and race relations.[11]
Study circles have been used extensively in Australia for some years to engage citizens in issues as diverse as reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,[12][13] and tackling environmental disasters like blue-green algae in the nation's river systems.[14] Around 2010, the Australian Study Circles Network was developed as a central resource for study circle practitioners in Australia.[15]
See also
References
- ^ ISSN 1654-2010. Larsson, Staffan; Nordvall, Henrik (July 2010). A study groups made one portal to study together and share resources (Technical report). Studies in adult, popular and higher education. Linköping:ISSN 1654-2010.
- OCLC 56715349.
- S2CID 144998073.
- ^ S2CID 141417803.
- ^ OCLC 18981481.
- S2CID 151061510.
- OCLC 43323628.
- OCLC 29908699.
- OCLC 27896869.
- S2CID 154696700.
- ^ Wilcox, Deborah A.; McCray, Jacquelyn Y. (Winter 2005). "Multicultural organization competence through deliberative dialogue". Organization Development Journal. 23 (4): 77–85.
- OCLC 221533963.
- OCLC 948561358.
- OCLC 40395794.
- ^ Brennan, Mary; Brophy, Mark (July 2010). "Study circles and the Dialogue to Change Program" (PDF). Australian Journal of Adult Learning. 50 (2): 411–418.
Further reading
- Andrews, Cecile (Fall 1992). "Study circles: schools for life". In Context. 33: 22–25.
- Bjerkaker, Sturla (August 2014). "Changing communities. The study circle—for learning and democracy". Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 142: 260–267. .
- Chang, Bo (November 2013). "Education for social change: Highlander education in the Appalachian Mountains and study circles in Sweden". International Journal of Lifelong Education. 32 (6): 705–723. S2CID 144444500.
- Gougoulakis, Petros; Christie, Michael (July 2012). "Popular education in times of societal transformation—a Swedish perspective" (PDF). Australian Journal of Adult Learning. 52 (2): 237–256.
- Leighninger, Matt; McCoy, Martha (June 1998). "Mobilizing citizens: study circles offer a new approach to citizenship". .
- Ohlsson, Ragnar (1998). "An early form of the community of inquiry: the study circle". Thinking: The Journal of Philosophy for Children. 14 (2): 27–28. .
- Oliver, Leonard P. (1987). Study circles: coming together for personal growth and social change. Cabin John, MD: Seven Locks Press. OCLC 15792293.
- Velichko, Aliona (2004). "Welcome to the world of study circles" (PDF). Адукатар (Educator). 1: 23–25.
External links
- "Everyday Democracy (formerly the Study Circles Resource Center)". everyday-democracy.org.
- "Study Circles for Social Change Programme". ifwea.org. International Federation of Workers' Education Associations.
- "Australian Study Circles Network". studycircles.net.au.
- "Adult Learning Australia". ala.asn.au.
- "P2PU Learning Circles". learningcircles.p2pu.org. Peer to Peer University.