Formation and Development of Effective Student Teams to Facilitate Team-Based Learning

Abstract

The ability to work in an effective team has been identified by employers as a key skill for students entering the work force. Furthermore, a desire for active learning by both students and faculty has also increased the use of team-based learning. However, team-based learning also has its drawbacks – notably, managing conflict among team members, reconciling differing levels of effort by students, and the construction of a fair and effective method of assessment for teambased work. Highly developed and cohesive teams allow the focus of the classroom to be on engaged and transformative learning, yet previous research has focused mostly on the learning outcomes of such teams rather than on the formation and development processes. The application of team-based learning in a third year, large enrollment course for engineering technology and engineering students will be discussed. Specifically, strategies used to select and develop teams and methods used to optimize the team-based learning processes will be highlighted. Student performance on key team-based learning activities and student evaluation of team-based learning will be shared. Suggestions for using team-based learning with engineering and engineering technology students will conclude the paper Team-Based Learning The ability to work effectively in teams has been identified as an essential skill for new employees to bring to the work environment upon graduation 1, 2 . Furthermore, benefits to both faculty and students have been noted by those who have practiced team-based learning methods 3 . However, team-based learning also presents challenges to both students and instructors 4 . In addition to addressing both the benefits and challenges of team-based learning in engineering and engineering technology, this paper will discuss the application of the Michaelsen, Knight, and Fink 5 method of team-based learning (TBL) to a course in total quality management. The process used to create and develop functional learning teams will also be a focus of the paper. Data on student performance and their feedback on the process will be included in the final portion of the paper. Benefits of Team-Based Learning