Small Group FAQ
For general information about small group meetings, please visit the instructions in the Canvas course. You can also reference this Small Group Information article.
Where can I find my small group?
You can find your small group by going to "People" in the course navigation menu and then clicking on the course small group tab.
How do I contact my small group members?
Direct messaging in Circle is the recommended way for you to contact your small group members. You can simply open “Direct messages” from the dialog icon 💬. Then click on the '+' New message button. Then you can enter your small group member’s names and send a message to your group.
Please keep in mind that some people may use their preferred names and exactly what appears in Canvas when you are searching for your small group members in Circle.
What do I do if a member is not responding?
If a member is not responding, please notify support@wts.edu and we will work with you to establish contact. You may have to move forward with the small group meeting without the non-responsive member.
How do we meet? Where do I get the Zoom link for our meeting?
You can find the Zoom links for your small group meeting in the first module of the course. There will be a page that is called “Zoom Links for Small Group Meetings.” Please make sure you use the correct Zoom link provided in the table.
What should I do if the Zoom link is not working?
If your Zoom link is not working, then please notify support@wts.edu. You may consider using Google Meet or you are also welcome to use a personal Zoom account.
What should I do if I cannot attend a meeting?
If you cannot attend a meeting, then please notify your small group as soon as possible. You can then submit the alternate assignment for 85% credit for the small group meeting.
Group Membership
Can I change my small group?
Unfortunately, we cannot change your small group once it has been assigned. Due to the various group size and time-zone constraints, we cannot change small group assignments unless it is absolutely necessary.
Can I stay with the same members in my current small group in future courses?
Due to the varying number of students and their locations, we cannot commit to keeping the same small groups together.
Some students have created their own small groups outside of courses as well. You could stay in touch by creating a chat room in Circle.
What should I do if I feel uncomfortable or have a conflict with someone in my small group?
Please contact support@wts.edu immediately and notify us. You may also exit the meeting immediately if you do not feel safe at any point in a meeting. Your safety and security are top concerns for us and we want to make sure such an environment is being created and honored in every interaction.
General Questions
Why do we do small groups at all?
Small groups are an important part of how we design theological formation in the online learning context. Discussion with one another—as well as with your instructor—is critical for growth in three main ways. First, small groups provide a low-stakes setting for retrieving, synthesizing, and using what you've learned. Second, you and your group members will inevitably observe and approach things differently—whether you're looking together at a difficult passage of Scripture, a doctrinal formulation, or attepting to apply what you're learning in context. If approached out of patience and love, this can not only be a site to speak your mind, but also gain new insights and develop habits of emphathetic listening and learning from others. Finally, small groups provide a setting for meeting fellow brothers and sisters to pray and encourage one another. In several cases, this has lead to meaningful friendships and even ministry partnerships.
How did you determine who would be in my small group?
Small group assignments take into consideration a number of different factors including the locations of our students and their time zones. Our goal is to place you in groups of four students (when possible) who are all in the same time zones.
What should I do if my small group members drop the course?
If you are in a group with at least three members after a small group member drops, then you can continue to meet without a new member. If you are in a group of two, then you may either choose to continue to meet together or reach out to support@wts.edu to ask for a reassignment. If all members of your small group drop the course, then please reach out to support@wts.edu to be assigned another small group.
Are the requirements for small groups in counseling courses different?
Yes, the requirements for the counseling course small group meetings are different. Counseling courses have “PTC” in the course code (for example, PTC 151). Please refer to the assignment in Canvas for specific instructions.
What do I do if I have to miss a meeting during a term?
If you are unable to attend any of the assigned small group meetings, then you can submit an alternate assignment for 85% credit. If extenuating circumstances require you to miss a number of meetings and you are aware of this at the start of the term, then please reach out to support@wts.edu to see if any other arrangements can be made.