Sandra, Great question. I look forward to hearing other people's ideas on the difference. Here is my first response: - Both PBL and TBL use small groups in an intensive way, to solve authentic problems/questions. Both can be very motivating for high levels of student engagement. - And Sandra is right: TBL is definitely more "defined" or structured than PBL. - The biggest difference in my view is that they use a reverse sequence of activities: - *PBL *starts with a macro-question, and then has students break that down into particular questions whose answers lead up to an answer for the macro-question. - *TBL *reverses this: Students learn about the various components parts of the big topic or realm of study first, and then use that to work on a macro-question, usually posed as a culminating project for the whole course [or for one or two major units within the course]. My Best, Dee On Mon, Mar 24, 2014 at 8:27 AM, Sandra Schonwetter < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > Hi there TBLers, > > A question that keeps coming up is, "What is the difference between TBL > and PBL?" My answer is that both are under the umbrella of 'the flipped > classroom'. Some similarities are: both priortize time to the application > of content, both depend on students taking initiative and being accountable > for their learning. One difference is that TBL is more structured than PBL. > > I'd like to hear more responses to this question. > Thanks, > Sandra Schonwetter > > Educational Specialist > > Department of Medical Education > > 260 Brodie Centre, > > 272B 727 McDermot Avenue > > R3E 3P5 > > email: [log in to unmask] > > phone: (204) 272-3172 > > fax: (204) 480-1372 > -- *********************** L. Dee Fink 234 Foreman Ave. Norman, OK 73069 Phone/FAX: 405-364-6464 Email: [log in to unmask] Websites: www.designlearning.org [multiple resources on course design] www.deefinkandassociates.com [offer workshops & online courses] www.finkconsulting.info [Fink's consulting activities & publications] **Former President of the POD Network in Higher Education (2004-2005) **Author of: *Creating Significant Learning Experiences* (2003, Jossey-Bass) **Senior Associate, Dee Fink & Associates Consulting Services