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]

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***********************
L. Dee Fink
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**Former President of the POD Network in Higher Education (2004-2005)
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