Transition to TBL
Transitioning from traditional lecturing to Team-Based Learning (TBL)
Last updated
Transitioning from traditional lecturing to Team-Based Learning (TBL)
Last updated
Transitioning from traditional lecturing to Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a rewarding endeavour that can significantly enhance your students’ learning experience. However, it does require careful planning and a commitment of time and resources upfront. Here’s what you need to know to make the switch and an overview of the work involved
Before implementing TBL, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with its core components:
This video animation is a great starting point to understand its components. If you’d like to see how TBL works in the classroom, here’s another video that demonstrates it effectively.
To understand the core principles of TBL, we recommend checking out the book “Team-Based Learning: A Transformative Use of Small Groups in College Teaching” by Michaelsen, Knight, and Fink.
Attend the LAMS TBL Workshops, where you can learn the foundations of TBL and receive guidance on how to create and run TBL lessons in your course.
These TBL workshops are intended for higher education lecturers seeking to enhance their instructional methods by transitioning from traditional lecture-based teaching to Team-Based Learning (TBL). The workshops offers a comprehensive examination of TBL as a pedagogical approach, grounded in educational theory and supported by empirical research.
Participants explore the foundational principles of TBL, including its emphasis on student-centered learning, collaboration, and the development of critical thinking skills. The course will provide guidance on redesigning curriculum components to incorporate TBL strategies effectively. Key areas of focus will include the creation of pre-class preparation materials, the design of readiness assurance tests, and the development of application exercises that facilitate deep learning and real-world problem-solving.
Through interactive lectures, scholarly readings, and practical workshops, attendees will engage with the theoretical underpinnings of TBL and examine case studies illustrating its implementation across various disciplines. The course will also address assessment techniques suitable for TBL environments, such as balancing individual and team evaluations and integrating peer assessment to promote accountability.
By the end of the workshops, participants should have developed a detailed plan for integrating TBL into their courses, informed by best practices and tailored to their specific teaching contexts. The workshops aim to support educators in fostering more engaging and effective learning experiences, ultimately contributing to improved student outcomes and advancement in pedagogical practice.
Redesign Your Course Structure
Learning Objectives: Align your course objectives with TBL activities to ensure they promote higher-order thinking skills.
Syllabus Revision: Update your syllabus to reflect the TBL format, including expectations for pre-class preparation and team participation.
Develop Pre-Class Materials
Content Selection: Choose readings, videos, or other materials that cover essential concepts students need before class.
Accessibility: Ensure materials are readily accessible, possibly through a learning management system (LMS).
Create Readiness Assurance Tests (RATs)
iRAT and tRAT Questions: Develop multiple-choice or short-answer questions that test fundamental understanding.
Feedback Mechanisms: Prepare explanations for correct and incorrect answers to provide immediate feedback.
Design Team Application Exercises
Real-World Problems: Create complex scenarios that require teams to apply concepts collaboratively.
Alignment with Objectives: Ensure exercises are directly linked to your learning objectives and encourage critical thinking.
Organise Student Teams
Team Formation: Decide on a method for forming diverse teams (random assignment, strategic grouping based on multiple criteria, etc.).
Team Size: Typically, teams of 5-7 students work best in TBL settings.
Plan Assessment and Grading
Individual and Team Performance: Develop a grading scheme that balances individual accountability with team contributions.
Peer Evaluation: Incorporate peer assessment to encourage responsibility and fair contribution within teams.
Adjust Classroom Logistics
Seating Arrangements: Modify the classroom layout to facilitate team interactions (e.g., clusters of desks).
Technology Needs: Ensure you have the necessary tools for delivering RATs and displaying materials.
Pilot TBL with LAMS support
Scope your own TBL implementation
Use LAMS to pilot your TBL adventures!
