Overview of TBL

Team-based learning (TBL) (Michaelson & Sweet, 2008) is a specific model of having students work in groups. In the phases, there are elements of individual study, small-group study, and that collective study. 

Preparation Phase

Students engage with material (most likely as a reading or video) to prepare them for the TBL activity. In most cases, this finds studnets becoming familiar with the materials they will need understand the following activities and contribute to the group's work. This might be reading an article, a textbook chapter, or reviewing other materials.

Readiness Assurance Process 

Once student have reviewed the materials they will need, they  proceed with the RAT which comprises both an assessment of the individual’s preparation through the individual readiness assurance test (iRAT) and the team’s preparation through the team readiness assurance test (tRAT). The iRAT and tRAT are the same test completed by the students and then reviewed by the group that will be working together on the next phase.  Students are given feedback and clarification or correct is given as needed. 

Application Activities 

Once the instructor is confident the studnets understand the materials they need to complete the application activity, they begin. Application activities are around for characteristics: 

  • Significant—The problem should require understanding of concepts and contextualized by a situation the is perceived to be relevant and authentic. 

  • Same—All of the teams develop resolutions to the same problem. The goals is to generate and defend interpretations and decisions. 

  • Specific choice—The problem students are solving requires a definite answer that can be defended. 

  • Simultaneous—The groups make their specific choices and craft their defense at the same time and these are revealed at the same time. 

Debrief Decisions
Once the teams have made their selection and prepared their rationale, 

 

Reference

Michaelsen, L. K., & Sweet, M. (2008). The essential elements of team‐based learning. New Directions for Teaching and Learning, 2008(116), 7-27. 

Last modified: Thursday, October 28, 2021, 3:08 PM