I have never used TBL in a 3-times a week offering.... so, do not have any experience there. I do have a 3-year experience, however, in using it in a once a week, 3-consecutive 50-minute period class that meets in the evening... and TBL works great in that time frame.

A 3-period, consecutive time frame allows such things as a sequence of iRAT, tRAT, feedback lecture to the class using iRAT data (we use iClickers to "harvest" their iRAT input, which we analyze while the Teams are scratching the IFAT forms), followed by Team activities working on a Case or some such (with the TA and I moving around the room dealing with issues, engaging, coaching).. all done in one evening .. (like this very long sentence... just a continual flow of activity).

I am sure there are ways to make it work with 3 separate 50-55 minute classes, too... but, it would seem a longer period would work better..

Gary D. Lynne, Professor
Department of Agricultural Economics and
School of Natural Resources
103B Filley
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68583-0922 USA
Website: http://agecon.unl.edu/lynne
Phone: 1-402-472-8281 Cell: 1-402-430-3100
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Elaine Larsen ---05/08/2012 09:54:56 AM---I am planning a new course for the spring of '13 that I think will be TBL format. Its a biology cou

From: Elaine Larsen <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: 05/08/2012 09:54 AM
Subject: class duration
Sent by: Team-Based Learning <[log in to unmask]>

I am planning a new course for the spring of '13 that I think will be TBL format. Its a biology course for non-majors, with a weekly lab. The course will be structured into 4-5 modules over the course of the semester. I am considering how to set up the class sessions - formally I will have designated "lecture" and "lab" times on the schedule, although I am considering at least partly abandoning that distinction in practice and using some of the "lecture" for lab activities and some of the lab times for extended applications. But in designing this course and thinking about the schedule, I am looking for advice about meeting 3x per week (55 minutes MWF) for "lecture" vs meeting 2x per week (80 minutes TuTh).

I'm wondering if instructors who have tried either or both of these options have any comments about the pros and cons.

Elaine

Elaine Larsen, PhD
Biology Department
Skidmore College
518-580-5072