Team-based Learning

Posted on by Nattasit Dancholvichit

PURPOSE

To support students’ social and teamwork skills by emphasizing learning in small groups. 

DESCRIPTION

Students are organized into diverse teams, typically with 6 students or less, that work together throughout the class or semester. The teams may work on one or several collaborative projects/activities. 

UNDERLYING EDUCATIONAL THEORIES

Team-based learning, peer learning, collaborative learning 

PEDAGOGICAL BENEFITS 

  • Team-based learning supports learning modules, which can help break up course content into manageable, less intimidating chapters for students to tackle. 
  • Team-based learning can help students develop collaborative and social skills as well as hold them accountable for their learning and their contributions to the team. 
  • Team-based learning can help instructors manage large class sizes by scaling down the class into groups that are more accessible for one-on-one feedback. 
  • Students are able to learn from, and discuss with, their peers throughout their journey in the course. 
  • Team-based learning can help instructors ensure that individual students are not left behind. 

STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTATION 

  1. In advance of the course start date, begin planning your projected team sizes and their potential activities. Consider whether teams will work on a series of projects or complete modules that build into the same project. 
  2. Identify projects suitable for collaboration. Consider situating the projects in real-world applications or seeking sponsors to add authentic elements. 
  3. Prepare samples to debrief students on requirements. Plan time for answering questions and checking for understanding. 
  4. Consider your students’ prior collaborative and teamwork skills. Note that it may be useful to include a workshop or discussion on teamwork at the beginning of the semester. 
  5. Consider how teams will be assessed. Should a peer assessment element be included?  

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING 

(2021, 18-Jul). Overview of TBL. Team-Based Learning Collaborative. https://www.teambasedlearning.org/definition/ 

Brame, C.J. (2021, 18-Jul). Team-based learning. Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/team-based-learning/ 

Demetry, C. (2010, October). Work in progress—An innovation merging “classroom flip” and team-based learning. In 2010 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (pp. T1E-1). IEEE.