{"id":564,"date":"2019-04-18T13:55:47","date_gmt":"2019-04-18T12:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/clt\/?p=564"},"modified":"2019-04-18T13:55:47","modified_gmt":"2019-04-18T12:55:47","slug":"adventures-in-team-based-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bath.ac.uk\/clt\/2019\/04\/18\/adventures-in-team-based-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Adventures in Team Based Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently attended the CLT Lunchtime Hub event introducing Team Based Learning<\/a> (TBL). Steve Cayzer (Mechanical Engineering) shared his experience in a workshop where we took part in a Team Based Learning activity. Attendees completed a \u2018pre-reading\u2019, which introduced the basics of this approach to peer learning. During the workshop, we formed diverse teams, based on our learning or work experience. Each group had a mix of students, professional services staff, academics with less than 2 years\u2019 experience, or greater.<\/p>\n

We completed \u2018individual readiness assessments\u2019, followed by a \u2018team readiness assessment\u2019. Then we worked together on \u2018application activities\u2019. These explored some of the benefits and challenges of TBL and team learning in general. We worked in our teams to come up with new approaches to team tasks which could have worked better.<\/p>\n

\"\"\u00a0Excerpt from The Least you need to know about Team Based Learning<\/em>, Steve Cayzer (pre-reading activity for the workshop).<\/p>\n

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The best thing about this event was the chance to take part and immerse ourselves in the TBL experience. It was a very active session. At the start we got in line ordered by our different roles so we could form teams. After working in our teams, we provided feedback on other groups\u2019 activities. We also shared our most important learning points with the whole class. Students who attended the session commented that they enjoy the interactivity in their TBL sessions.<\/p>\n

There was a sense of engagement and energy from the first team task (the team readiness assurance test) which \u2018broke the ice\u2019 in our newly formed group. Steve introduced a software for managing TBL activities (Intedashboard). It allowed us to respond to questions to test our understanding from the pre-reading, and provided feedback. In the team readiness assurance test, we worked together by evaluating the options and pooling our reflections and knowledge.<\/p>\n

\"\"A key benefit of this approach is a sense of shared accountability within the team. In TBL, teams remain constant in the long term. Steve also encourages teams to develop a charter and visual identity, and provides time for \u2018team reflection\u2019. This can help with a common issue in team learning: equality of contribution to the task. With an opportunity to work through a series of authentic problems, TBL provides a clear structure for peer learning activities.<\/p>\n

Some of the challenges we discussed are:<\/p>\n