Many instructors use group work to help students engage more actively with course material, exchange perspectives, and practice collaboration. When thoughtfully designed, group learning can energize a classroom, deepen understanding, and help students develop skills they will use well beyond the course. Creating group activities that lead to meaningful participation and productive collaboration, however, often benefits from intentional design and facilitation strategies.

In this online session, we will share research-informed and practical approaches to strengthening group work across different course contexts. Together, we will explore:

• What does current evidence tell us about the effectiveness and limitations of group learning?
• What factors should instructors consider to support meaningful collaboration?
• What considerations are important when forming student groups and supporting them as they begin to work together?
• How can instructors support group work in ways that balance student autonomy with timely instructor guidance?