What is team-based learning (TBL)? Michaelsen, Knight, and Fink (2004) define TBL as "a particular instructional strategy, not a series of independent small-group activities ... team-based learning revolves around the development of teams, a kind of social unit that is quite distinct from groups" (p. 8). Typically a team-based learning course is restructured into units that involve three phases:
1. Preparation in which all readings are completed and pre-requisite knowledge is
attained
2. Application in which content is used to solve common problems
3. Assessment phase in which a final problem is given to solve as a team
(Michaelsen et al., p. 9-11)
Duke-N.U.S. is employing TBL to give students increased guided hands-on time in the classroom. They use pre-recorded lectures to impart knowledge about course concepts and class time to develop a deeper understanding and knowledge of the concepts.
A discussion of where the program is going and ongoing research they are conducting was posted by Dr. Sandy Cook, Associate Dean of the Duke-N.U.S. Graduate Medical School Singapore from the TEAMLEARNING archives.
To learn more about Team-based learning and about how to design a course with TBL in mind, visit the course design guide at the University of British Columbia.
References:
Michaelsen A. L., Knight A.B., Fink, L.D. (Eds.). (2004). Team-Based Learning: A Transformative Use of Small Groups. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
