Dear Brent,
Singapore is not much different than Japan in its emphasis on memorization and achievement in education and we were told that TBL just wouldn't work here in Asia; but as you know, we have had wonderful success. I think the students (with coaching) are open to the idea - and truthfully I believe student behavior is a reflection of the learning environment one sets. If you change the expectations and environment, the students will adapt.
The faculty, I agree, have been a bit more challenging - but Ironically, it was not the Asian faculty who have been most resistant (at least the ones we initially engaged and who were interested in trying this new strategy). It has been the western faculty who have come over here and are not used to being told by an education office that "this is the way we want you to teach." And even some of our Duke faculty initially were not convinced it was a good idea or possible in their environment. But, as you may know, they too are persuaded that this is worth the effort and are making huge strides to make changes - when change is very difficult.
While I will always encourage people to go to the TBL collaborative meetings - those here in Asia are more than welcomed to come down to our place and see it in action (with Asian students) and participate in our newly developed fellowship (http://duke-nus.edu.sg/web/education/faculty-development/fellowship-team-based-learning-tbl) to learn about the process and get mentored through the development and evaluation (research) on their successes.
Sandy
********************************************************
Sandy COOK, PhD | Senior Associate Dean, Curriculum Development |
Medical Education, Research, and Evaluation (MERE) |
Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore | Khoo Teck Puat Building | 8 College Road Singapore |169857 |
W: (65) 6516 8722| F: (65) 6227 2698 |
email: [log in to unmask] | web: http://www.duke-nus.edu.sg;
Administrative Executive: Belinda Yeo | [log in to unmask] | 6516-8511
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-----Original Message-----
From: Team-Based Learning [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Brent Duncan
Sent: Friday, December 09, 2011 10:57 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Research concept: Assessing team learning with remedial learners at a Japanese university
Hello TBL folks,
For your consideration and comment, I am posting a link to a concept
paper for a research project through which I will assess the viability of a
team learning model with remedial students at a local college in
Northeastern Japan.
Those of you who are familiar with Japanese higher education know that
collaborative processes and higher education are mutually exclusive
concepts. Considering the Western perception of Japan as a
collaborative society, this seems to reflect a fundamental dissonance
between societal values and institutional practices. I had an opportunity
to discuss this dissonance during a workshop on small-group learning
processes I gave to the faculty of a Japanese university in July
(http://www.gakushuu.org/humans/learning/team-based-learning-
resources). The concepts met with significant resistance; but, triggered
enough interest that the University asked me to conduct research to
test the viability of small-group learning on their campus with student
volunteers.
I merged ideas from TBL and the University of Phoenix Learning Team
model to create a process that I think will be most effective for this
specific group and project. Since TBL folks contributed to my project,
you are welcome to gather ideas from here. I also would appreciate
hearing your thoughts, especially if you can offer suggestions for
improving the process.
One thing I ask is that this document remains within this group; please
do not distribute this document without asking me.
https://docs.google.com/open?
id=0B2M6UHnEAG6JNDYwMWE3ZGYtZjYzNC00YThlLWI5YWEtZDdhMDc5O
TIyYWE3
Regards,
Brent Duncan, Lead Faculty
University of Phoenix School of Business
Asia Campus, Misawa Air Base, Japan
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