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Theuns,

TBL can be a VERY effective way to handle large classes but, only if
you are REALLY serious about wanting to go beyond dispensing content.
(That’s the main message of the 12-minute University of Texas video
featured on the web site www.teambasedlearning.org). I originally
created TBL when I was faced with an enrollment jump from classes of 40
to classes of 120. Subsequently, I’ve frequently taught classes of 140
and others have done a terrific job of classes of up to 400.

The primary issue isn’t the class size. It’s a combination of
1)	Having a workable teaching space (students need to be able to
talk in groups AND they need to be able to hear other teams’
rationales following the simultaneous reports of teams’ decisions on
application exercises. (Note: workable is usually more a matter of
acoustics than comfort. Students are amazingly adaptable to
uncomfortable space but, if they can’t hear, they can’t hear)
2)	Carefully implementing TBL (see Chapter 11 in the 2004 book for
some of the specifics to watch out for).  You can get by with a lot of
sloppy practice in a small class but, you have to do it right in a
really big one.

Larry
 

-----
Larry K. Michaelsen
Professor of Management
University of Central Missouri
Dockery 400G
Warrensburg, MO 64093

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>>> Theuns Kotze <[log in to unmask]> 08/30/11 4:33 AM >>>
Dear TBLers
 
I am new to TBL and have been asked to introduce TBL to my colleagues
during an upcoming brown bag event.
 
One of the questions I anticipate having to answer is, "Can TBL be
used
effectively in very large classes?"
 
At an undergraduate level we have very large class groups ranging from
300 to 1 300 students. Each class groups is divided into two sections
based on language (we teach all undergraduate courses in both English
and Afrikaans). So the sections range in size from 150 - 750 students.
One lecturer is responsible for teaching both sections in a class
group
and we have no teaching assistants.
 
Can TBL be used effectively in groups/sections of this size?
 
Any tips or resources on using TBL effectively in very large classes
will be most welcome.
 
I would also like to make contact with fellow TBLers in South Africa.
 
Kind regards,
 
Theuns Kotzé
Dept. of Marketing and Communication Management
University of Pretoria
South Africa
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