Team-based Learning Experience Research Articles

대학 교양수업에서 학습자 중심의 팀기반 학습 경험

Objectives The purposes of this study were to explores the experiences that learners who participate in team-based learning experience during the learning process, examines the learners' experiences in team-based learning in a contextual setting through a qualitative approach, and seeks educational reflection and implications. Methods For this purpose, this study was conducted on 94 college students who participated in liberal arts classes. To achieve the purpose of the study, first, team-based learning was designed by selecting a ‘pedagogy-based lib-eral arts’ subject. Second, after analyzing the content covered in the selected subject, the instructor's lecture on the learning topic was conducted in advance in the first half of each lesson, and students studied individually through lectures on the learning topic. After watching various learning materials related to the learning topic, team-based learning related to the learning content was applied. Third, we analyzed individual and team activity sheets, study notes for each session, and reflection logs written by learners before and after learning. The response sheets used in the analysis were all qualitative data collected through classes, and were analyzed through the inter-action of categorization, coding, structuring, and interpretation during the data analysis process. Results In terms of learning motivation from the results of this study, first, the motivation for taking the course was participation due to obligation, accidental choice, and unclear expectations due to the nature of liberal arts subjects, and second, the topic and content of learning were based on their own real-life usefulness and career-related topics. Third, actively apply the cognitive information acquired through participation in learning to solve life problems. Fourth, setting learning goals shows educationally important information and context for converting extrinsic motivation into intrinsic motivation. In terms of cognition, learners showed the highest cognitive factors in motivation to take the course, personal learning goals, and learner needs. In terms of interaction, in the process of participating in team-based learning, learners placed first, the attitude of participants, including communication, participation, and courtesy among team members, as the most important, and second, they meaningfully experienced positive experi-ences and emotional support. In terms of teaching and learning, positive experiences such as self-expression, dis-cussion and presentation, initiative, and overcoming presentation anxiety were recognized through participation in team learning. On the other hand, negative aspects could act as a hindrance to positive interactions between team members. In particular, to overcome these obstacles in the early stages of learning, multifaceted efforts were need-ed, such as clear motivation, setting learning goals, setting learning content that suits the learner's needs and inter-ests, emotional support from the instructor, effective learning support materials, and evaluation plans. Conclusions Through this study, it can be seen that, due to the nature of the learning process in team-based classes where learners' interaction is the center, more active and interactive communication and voluntary and proactive participation are required than previous learning experiences.To achieve this, active and flexible re-sponses will be needed to improve the anxiety and dissatisfaction that learners may feel. Through this, the charac-teristics and diversity of individual learners can be mutually recognized and accepted at the beginning of learning, the strengths of team-based learning of emotional support and consideration through interaction between team members can be effectively demonstrated, and learners' expectations and demands for participation in learning can be improved.

Transfer of Training and Awareness of Learning Style: The TOTALS Capstone Experience

Building on the research foundations of the traditional team-based business simulation environment, we present a new Transfer of Training and Awareness of Learning Style (TOTALS) Capstone model that draws from Organizational and Transfer of Training literature. This research-to-practice insight supports and describes how the Capstone simulation is sequenced with a team-based learning experience first and individual application second, thereby mirroring corporate training practices. This approach allows students to collaborate and exchange ideas, emulating workplace dynamics, and then demonstrate their understanding and skills during individual rounds. The model incorporates a reflection exercise to foster self-awareness of students’ learning styles and the best possible self, an important step toward empowering them to implement the skills and knowledge gained while working with a team. Lastly, we present results of an exploratory study that indicate that students of the Accommodator learning type are well-positioned to successfully transfer knowledge from training into individual success.

Comparisons of analogical learning and team discussion as interactive in-class activities in flipped classroom of a pharmacy compounding course

ABSTRACT Flipped classroom in pharmacy education has been widely explored with a major focus on its effectiveness but little emphasis is given to assess the different in-class activities. Therefore, this work compares two in-class activities in an overall flipped classroom: analogical learning and team-based learning (TBL) for a pharmacy course. The students underwent flipped classrooms with recorded lectures for different topics and followed by different assigned in-class activities. The final exam performance and a survey gauging their opinions on the experience were obtained and analysed. Analysis of covariance results showed no difference in the exam grade between the activities but normalised-gain score demonstrated moderately to highly effective for both activities. Despite this, the students rated lower for TBL experience due to the poor participation. Nevertheless, the current comparisons exhibited the benefits of different interactive in-class activities and the need for a careful design based on the students’ interest and engagement levels.

Effectiveness of Online Pedagogy of welding Skills during the COVID-19 Period: A Systematic Review

Online learning was created as a result of the huge industry disruption that occurred in March of 2020. Online education presented unique difficulties for learning in an entirely virtual setting with a concentration on psychomotor skill development, calling into doubt its efficacy. Finding a practical replacement for lab-based hands-on activities and group or team-based learning experiences was extremely difficult for technology education. This study compares the COVID-19 time to the pre-COVID period to assess how effective online teaching and learning experiences were in technology-based education. Just 20 randomized controlled trial publications, out of which 15 studies were used in the meta-analysis, were included in the review after an electronic search of the literature. Using Review Manager 5.3 to examine the data, Cochrane’s 2 test and I2 were used to determine heterogeneity. The meta-analysis shows a very reliable sensitivity analysis and a substantial pooled effect size of (SMD = 4.49 @ 95%, CI = 2.37 – 3.63 @ p.00001) from the test scores in favor of the experimental group. The results of the included studies’ sub-item achievement test results reveal a statistically positive difference in every category of welding skill tested. Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of online pedagogy in the covid era are the source of the current statistics. These results point to the need for additional investigation into the development of psychomotor skills in other technology education courses.

Very Short Answer Questions in Team-Based Learning: Limited Effect on Peer Elaboration and Memory.

In team-based learning (TBL), single best answer questions (SBAQs) are traditionally used because immediate computer-assisted feedback facilitates team discussions. Recent improvements in digital marking systems and criticisms of non-analytical strategies in SBAQs have prompted the consideration of very short answer questions (VSAQs) as an alternative to SBAQs. We aim to compare the effect of VSAQs and SBAQs on peer elaboration and knowledge retention in TBL. Twenty-four second-year students from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine participated in a mixed-methods study that included a randomised controlled crossover trial with two intervention arms (TBL-VSAQs and TBL-SBAQs). Two TBL sessions were conducted, with one topic covered each. Students were randomly allocated into six teams of four members. Individual and team scores and completion times were measured, and students were surveyed on their TBL experience. A follow-up quiz on the same topics was administered twoweeks later to assess knowledge retention. Individuals scored lower for VSAQs than SBAQs in the second TBL topic (7.17 ± 1.52 versus 8.25 ± 1.48; p = 0.046), while findings in other metrics were non-significant. Follow-up quiz scores showed no significant difference in knowledge retention, although effect size and power were low. Students perceived VSAQs as more authentic and challenging, though most preferred the continued use of SBAQs for TBL. VSAQs have a limited impact on peer elaboration and knowledge retention versus SBAQs in TBL. We should be circumspect about implementing VSAQs in TBL especially for medical students at the pre-clinical level. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-022-01716-5.

국군간호사관생도의 심맥관계 장애 대상자 간호 팀기반학습 경험

Purpose: This study is aimed at preparing basic data that needed for improving Team-Based Learning (TBL) teaching strategies for Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy Cadets. For that purpose, this study investigated cadets'' TBL experiences in core curriculum. Methods: This study was a Colaizzi''s phenomenological qualitative study using individual in-depth interviews, data were collected from 7 cadets with experiences in taking Adult Nursing Classes using TBL in nursing care for patients with cardiovascular disorder. Results: The 6 categories of ''Fulfilling one''s responsibility in class preparation'', ''Being engaged in discussion only for better academic grades'', ''Becoming a creator of collective intelligence'', ''Being self-directed and fair in-class participation'', ''Never-ending relationship with a team member'', and ''Being uncertain for not having core knowledge in cardiovascular nursing'' were obtained. Conclusion: Contextual uniqueness in which KAFNA cadets live as well as common phenomena that usual TBL learners experience have been explored. This study has value as a scientific basis to develop educational strategies for faculty who hold TBL classes at KAFNA in the future.

Team Based Learning Experience from a College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in United Arab Emirates

Team Based Learning Experience from a College of Pharmaceutical Sciences in United Arab Emirates

Exploring Teaching and Learning Experience during COVID-19 Pandemic in Engineering Education

The education system is continuously modernizing by accommodating the need due to the industrial revolution. Various teaching modes are also introduced including a diverse range of students, particularly in engineering education. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted normal education worldwide, forced to shut down campus activity for an extended period which forced Universities to adopt alternative approaches to continue student’s academic year. Engineering education faced significant challenges to find a realistic substitution for lab-based hands-on activity as well as group or team-based learning experiences. It is therefore very important to know the challenges and ways to address them. This paper evaluates the teaching and learning experiences observed in engineering education in Australia and abroad during the COVID-19 period compared to the pre-COVID period. The key motivation of this study is to identify key challenges arises due to COVID-19, develop Teaching & Learning (T & L) approaches to address these challenges and evaluate the effectiveness of the applied changes in the T & L approach, identify shortcomings, and find ways to improve them. The student feedback on selected engineering units have been collected from Deakin and Murdoch university in Australia to evaluate the performances of the applied changes. This data is considered as an authentic source of information to compare and identify the key challenges and effectiveness for students’ learning in pre-COVID and during COVID condition. This study later explored various literatures to gather experiences from other universities across the globe and by analysing all findings including academic experiences finally developed constructive recommendations for improvement. It is found that the current form of online mode of teaching has room to improve further as one segment of students finds it challenging and some others like a few approaches. It is also found that the online infrastructure, staff skills to innovate new unit designs, and motivating students are the other challenging areas. Therefore, a new teaching and learning framework is required to overcome all the challenges for future learning.

“Groupwork or teamwork?”: Creating the same page for improving team-based learning experience

The increasing popularity of the team-based learning (TBL) approach signifies how much the student-centered learning environment contributes to the effectiveness of teaching. Given the need to establish an agreement for groups to communicate their visions for collaborative efforts within the teamwork, this activity provides a basic communicative template for group members to exchange their thoughts and ideas on what distinguishes teamwork from groupwork and what constitutes good teamwork. This activity essentially offers a playground for student groups to engage with the notion of teamwork, identify potential challenges in their team communication, and actively seek solutions to improve their TBL experience. Courses: This activity applies to foundational courses in communication (courses requiring students to work in a team setting for an extended time). Objectives: This activity engages students in a conversational space within a group-based setting, sharing their understanding of what constitutes good teamwork. Thus, the activity is intended to: (1) encourage team members to communicate their goals and expectations, (2) increase the understanding of contribution and appreciation of teamwork, (3) improve the overall TBL experience for team members, and (4) help students understand the differences between group-based learning and TBL experiences.

Team-Based Learning Experiences of Nursing Students in a Health Assessment Subject: A Qualitative Study.

Health assessment as a subject comprises knowledge and practices in which health problems are identified by collecting individual health data. As the subject requires fast learning of voluminous content, it becomes cumbersome. Team-based learning (TBL) has been proposed as an effective teaching and learning strategy in such situations. This study aimed to explore the lived TBL experiences of nursing students from their perspectives in a health assessment subject. This study adopted a qualitative research method. TBL was applied in a health assessment subject at a university in South Korea, as a 2-credit course for 16 weeks. Twelve sophomore nursing students who enrolled in a health assessment subject were the participants. Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. The results contained twelve themes categorized into five theme clusters: “Getting ready for learning”, “Effective class promoting concentration and immersion”, “Proactive participation in a non-hierarchical learning environment”, “Complementary collaboration”, and “Sense of burden”. The findings suggest that TBL is an effective teaching and learning strategy for the discipline, imparting positive experiences such as class engagement, teamwork, learning outcomes, and improvement of problem-solving skills if students’ role conflicts and continuous learning burden can be addressed.

Implementation of team-based learning (TBL) in a second year medical school course: does prior experience with TBL improve the impact of this pedagogy?

BackgroundWe have shown that use of Team-based learning (TBL) in a first-year Infectious Diseases (ID) course improved final examination and course performance. Therefore, we implemented TBL in the second-year Women’s Health (WH) course to improve acquisition of course content. We hypothesized that prior experience with TBL in the first-year of medical school would lead to a strong correlation between TBL performance in the first and second years.MethodsOur study is a retrospective review of student TBL and final examination performance in the ID and WH courses. The ID course has weekly TBL exercises that cover all course material, while the WH course has one TBL that covers a small portion of the course material. Final examination and TBL individual readiness assurance test (iRAT) scores in the ID and WH courses from three classes (n = 226) were obtained with institutional review board approval. Statistical analyses were performed including comparisons of means and correlation studies.ResultsAverage WH iRAT scores were significantly higher than ID iRAT scores (9.19 vs. 7.40,p < 0.01), and iRAT scores in both courses were highly correlated (r = 0.35,p < 0.01). When stratifying students based on WH course performance, in struggling students, iRAT but not final examination scores were higher in the WH course than the ID course (8.73 vs. 7.00,p < 0.01 and 82.45 vs. 80.51,p > 0.05, respectively).ConclusionsOur results suggest that prior experience with TBL improves TBL iRAT scores, especially in struggling students. Prior TBL experience is also associated with consistent iRAT performance between first- and second-year courses in high performing students.

Effect of Seating Arrangement on Class Engagement in Team-based Learning: a Quasi-Experimental Study.

This study investigated the effects of seating distance and orientation on engagement in novice and experienced learners in a large classroom explicitly designed for team-based learning (TBL). Learning what affects TBL engagement may improve its implementation. Participants were novice first-year and experienced second-year undergraduate medical students in Singapore (male = 103, female = 57). Their age ranged from 18 to 23 (M = 19.5, SD = 1.06). This quasi-experimental study considered two factors. Firstly, the distance from the teams' table to the tutor's table. Secondly, students' orientation at each table, with either their front or back facing the tutor. Engagement was measured using two instruments, Situational Cognitive Engagement Measure and Classroom Engagement Survey at two TBL sessions - before and after swapping seating arrangements. For experienced students, seating distance did not significantly affect engagement (p = 0.08-0.89). Novice student's engagement levels decreased significantly for those who moved further; M = 3.30 to 2.98 (p = 0.009-0.023). However, overall engagement also decreased post-swap regardless of direction moved; M = 3.26 to 3.00 (p = 0.004). For both cohorts, seating orientation did not significantly affect engagement (p = 0.07-0.62). Those unaffected by seating arrangement commended the classroom's design, such as screens all around and quality audio-visual system. Novice students exhibited a stronger preference to sit nearer to the tutor than experienced students. Both groups preferred sitting with their front-facing the tutor. Within specially designed TBL classrooms, seating distance and orientation did not significantly affect engagement. Technologically enhanced team-centric spaces provide a favourable environment for TBL, though students' preferences for seats may change with more TBL experience. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40670-021-01469-7.

A comparative study on perceptions of medical students from the different curriculum on team-based learning

Objectives: Our medical school followed the traditional curriculum earlier, and due to a large amount of content embedded in each discipline, which had less scope for active and deep learning. To overcome this, we adopted an integrated curriculum and introduced a few active teaching/learning (T/L) methodologies, which promote deep learning and problem-solving skills. One such T/L methodology we introduced was team-based learning (TBL). Before implementing this active T/L methodology in the integrated curriculum, we evaluated the effectiveness of TBL in medical students from the traditional curriculum and aimed to determine students’ perceptions. Furthermore, we aimed to explore the perception of TBL in students who underwent integrated curriculum to evaluate the difference in their perception compared to the traditional curriculum. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in RAK Medical and Health Sciences University on the 1st year medical students from the traditional and integrated curriculum. Institutional ethical committee clearance and informed consent were obtained before starting the study. A pre-validated 5-item survey questionnaire comprising questions related to the content, process, and teamwork was used to obtain perceptions of students’ on TBL. Results: The students positively perceived the teaching-learning experience using TBL and understood the concepts better. Even the students with integrated curriculum had the same positive impact on their learning attitudes. The majority of students in both cohorts agreed that discussion among their teams helped them to learn better. Around two-thirds (66%) of students from the traditional curriculum and one-third (39%) of students from integrated curriculum wanted TBLs as T/L methodology over didactic lectures. Conclusion: TBL helped to learn better and understand the subject and promoted self and peer engagement, which facilitated their learning by clarifying the doubts with peers. Due to this positive TBL experience, most students from both curriculums recommended its use as a T/L method over lecture. Hence, TBL sessions in medical schools can be used as an effective T/L method to facilitate meaningful learning.

Using Team-Based Learning in Teaching English to EFL Undergraduate Students

Team Based Learning (TBL) is a method that has been introduced to provide students with both conceptual and procedural knowledge to foster critical and creative thinking skills while students work in high functioning teams. The study throws some light on the TBL approach in general and the researcher's pilot- experiment on using the TBL in teaching English to EFL (English as a Foreign Language) undergraduate students. The main aim of this pilot experiment is to assess the TBL's effects on student engagement, accountability, and satisfaction and to identify the problems faced in applying it and then, in the light of the findings, to propose suggestions about how to use the approach effectively. Forty (40) second-year undergraduate students of the Department of English/ Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Koya University were involved in this experiment and its evaluation. These students were taught through student learning teams for two successive academic years (2017-2018 &amp; 2018-2019) in the subject of English Reading Comprehension. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from the students about their TBL experience using questionnaires. The results of the evaluation revealed that the vast majority of the students preferred TBL to the traditional individual learning and that the TBL has more positive effects on the students' engagement in class activities and assignments. The findings also indicate that despite the positive effects and the students' satisfaction with the approach, there are problems and obstacles on the way of its application in the classroom, but that with the proper use of the approach most of these problems can be overcome. What is important about this evaluation is that it is student-centered as it shows the real opinions of the students who lived the experience.

Pharmacy students and faculty perceptions of online team-based learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Aim: This survey study aimed to describe student and faculty experiences and perceptions regarding the sudden shift to delivery of online team-based learning (TBL) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Data such as perception of engagement and effectiveness of online TBL, challenges and recommendations for improving the online TBL experience were collected. Results: Eighteen (58.1%) faculty and 154 (75.9%) students completed the survey. Most students did not feel more engaged with their teammates or instructors using the online format and only one faculty member responded he/she felt more engaged with students via the online TBL format. Forty-one (26.7%) students responded they felt the online TBL improves knowledge retention, while no faculty responded they felt online TBL improved students’ knowledge retention. The top challenges described include lack of student engagement and technological difficulties. Conclusion: This study showed that a lack of training and preparation for the sudden online TBL transition led to decreased student motivation and engagement.

Effectiveness of team-based learning on postpartum hemorrhage in midwifery students in Indonesia: A quasi-experimental study

BackgroundPoor quality of care by midwives in Indonesia has become a barrier to improving maternal health. To eliminate this barrier, reforming the educational system (i.e., teaching and learning processes) is an urgent concern. Herein, we propose the use of team-based learning (TBL) as an active learning strategy to enhance knowledge of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and learning satisfaction of midwifery students in Indonesia. ObjectivesTo assess and compare knowledge of PPH, long-term retention of knowledge, and learning satisfaction of midwifery students attending a TBL class versus a didactic lecture on PPH topics. MethodsA quasi-experimental design was used. The participants were second-year diploma level midwifery students who have (a) no TBL experience, (b) completed the previous semester, and (c) graduated from senior high school (without nursing background). We recruited 118 participants. The midwifery students in the intervention group participated 3 times in the TBL class (90 min), whereas those in the control group participated in the didactic lecture on PPH topics. An unpaired t-test was used to evaluate differences between groups. ANOVA was used to evaluate differences within groups. ResultsA total of 115 participants (intervention = 62, control = 53) were finally evaluated. The demographic data and pre-test scores were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The mean knowledge of PPH scores were significantly higher in the TBL students than in the control students at post-test, 2 weeks post-test, 6 weeks post-test, and 12 weeks post-test (all p < .001). The nursing student satisfaction scale score was significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group. ConclusionThe findings showed that TBL is an effective active learning strategy to improve knowledge of PPH of Indonesian midwifery students before clinical practice exposure. Further long-term evaluation (e.g., 1 semester) of the effectiveness of TBL is warranted.

Problem-based Learning and Team-based Learning as a Novel Package Approach.

To identify the insights of dentistry students towards a new 3/1 problem-based learning (PBL) and team-based learning (TBL) blended package approach. Mixed method triangulation design, using validating quantitative data model. College of Dentistry, Qassim University, KSA, from March to July 2020. Modified TBL within an existing PBL hybrid curriculum, by strategically designing three modified PBL sessions followed by one modified TBL session was evaluated. There were 241 students enrolled over five academic years of session 2019-2020, and all were included in the study. Feedback of the students regarding novel approach was collected at the culmination of the academic year through an e-questionnaire, utilising closed- and open-ended questions. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. In total, 124 (51.5%) students filled a questionnaire regarding use of PBL and TBL in the new blended approach. The median perception score of TBL was 3.9 (3.2-4.3) and PBL was 3.9 (3.3-4.3). Thematic analysis of the qualitative data supported the quantitative results. Students reported positive aspects of TBL experience as more engaging format, collaborative learning, teamwork, and group competition. They stated that PBL has improved their research, presentation, and clinical reasoning skills. Students valued the novel PBL-TBL package as an optimum learning approach. They predominantly voted in favour of TBL. Students further identified the sequence and format of the current approach conducive to learning, feedback and assessment. Key Words: Hybrid curriculum, Team-based learning, Problem-based learning, Blended learning, Innovative instructional strategy.

Scaffolding medical student knowledge and skills: team-based learning (TBL) and case-based learning (CBL)

BackgroundTwo established small-group learning paradigms in medical education include Case-based learning (CBL) and Team-based learning (TBL). Characteristics common to both pedagogies include the use of an authentic clinical case, active small-group learning, activation of existing knowledge and application of newly acquired knowledge. However, there are also variances between the two teaching methods, and a paucity of studies that consider how these approaches fit with curriculum design principles. In this paper we explore student and facilitator perceptions of the two teaching methods within a medical curriculum, using Experience based learning (ExBL) as a conceptual lens.MethodsA total of 34/255 (13%) Year 2 medical students completed four CBLs during the 2019 Renal and Urology teaching block, concurrent to their usual curriculum activities, which included weekly TBLs. Questionnaires were distributed to all students (n = 34) and CBL facilitators (n = 13). In addition, all students were invited to attend focus groups. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 23/34 (71%) of students and 11/13 (85%) of facilitators completed the questionnaires. Twelve students (35%) participated in focus groups. Findings indicate their experience in CBL to be positive, with many favourable aspects that built on and complemented their TBL experience that provided an emphasis on the basic sciences. The learning environment was enriched by the CBL framework that allowed application of knowledge to solve clinical problems within the small groups with consistent facilitator guidance and feedback, their capacity to focus discussion, and associated efficiencies in learning. ConclusionWhile the TBL model was integral in developing students’ knowledge and understanding of basic science concepts, the CBL model was integral in developing students’ clinical reasoning skills. The strengths of CBL relative to TBL included the development of authentic clinical reasoning skills and guided facilitation of small group discussion. Our findings suggest that delivery of a medical curriculum may be enhanced through increased vertical integration, applying TBL in earlier phases of the medical program where the focus is on basic science principles, with CBL becoming more relevant as students move towards clinical immersion.

Child Development Day: A collaborative interprofessional experience

Interprofessional education is needed to guide students in becoming collaborative practitioners. We developed a hybrid learning experience, incorporating online modules with an in-person team-based learning experience to facilitate collaboration and understanding of roles among health professions students at a graduate institute. Child Development Day (CDD) involved the developmental assessment of children aged 6 months–36 months, incorporating several professions typically involved in the care of developing children. Before completing the 2-h interactive team experience, students across six health professions programs accessed an online pre-experience asynchronous learning module and completed a baseline knowledge assessment. During CDD, onsite interprofessional teams of students performed a developmental assessment of 1–2 children facilitated by interprofessional faculty. Learning activities and a graded team assignment addressed three Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) core competencies, including understanding roles and responsibilities, communication, and teamwork. After CDD, students completed a post-experience knowledge assessment and the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Scale (ICCAS). Learners demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge related to interprofessional practice, and all students passed the group assignment within 2 attempts. High levels of student satisfaction were measured in nearly all domains. Lower levels of satisfaction with the preparatory materials and perception of minimal improvements in communication and ethics highlighted parts of the program that could be enhanced.

Team-based learning replaces problem-based learning at a large medical school

AbsractBackgroundWith increased student numbers in the Sydney Medical Program, and concerns regarding standardisation across cohorts, student satisfaction of the problem-based learning (PBL) model had decreased in recent years. In 2017, Team-based learning (TBL) replaced PBL in Years 1 and 2 of the medical program. This study sought to explore students’ perceptions of their experience of TBL, and to consider resource implications.MethodsIn 2017, Years 1 and 2 medical students (n = 625) participated in weekly TBL sessions,with approximately 60 students per class, consisting of 11 teams of five or six students. Each class was facilitated by a consultant, a basic scientist and a medical registrar. Prior to each class, students were given pre-work, and completed an online Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT). During face-to-face class, students completed the Team Readiness Assurance Test (TRAT), and received feedback with clarification from facilitators, followed by clinical problem-solving activities. Student feedback was collected by questionnaire, using closed and open-ended items. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsIn total, 232/275 (84%) Year 1 and 258/350 (74%) Year 2 students responded to the questionnaire. Students found positive aspects of TBL included the small group dynamics, intra- and inter-team discussions, interactions with facilitators, provision of clinical contexts by clinicians, and the readiness assurance process. Suggested improvements included: better alignment of pre-reading tasks, shorter class time, increased opportunity for clinical reasoning, and additional feedback on the mechanistic flowchart. Resource efficiencies were identified, such as a reduction in the number of teaching sessions and required facilitators, and the ability to provide each classroom with clinical expertise.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that TBL, as a replacement for PBL in Years 1 and 2 of the medical curriculum, provided a standardised approach to small group learning on a large scale, and also provided resource efficiencies. Students perceived benefits related to the active learning strategy of TBL that encourage individual learning, consolidation of knowledge, retrieval practice, peer discussion and feedback. However, improvements are needed in terms of better alignment of pre-reading tasks with the TBL patient case, and greater facilitator interaction during the problem-solving activities. Additionally, consideration should be given to reducing class time, and providing TRAT scores.