Greetings all. 

On the issue of TBL deviations. 
I experienced this sort of problem as part of the groups implementing TBL at two medical schools. In both cases, some faculty were sent for training at TBL-C and TBL consultants were brought in from TBL-C to do faculty development workshops. These were absolutely essential steps in on-boarding TBL successfully. 

However... as more faculty became interested in doing "TBL" (note the quotes), and without continued expert guidance, the activities deviated from the successful format described by Larry Michaelsen. They became less effective and caused much student anxiety because the expectations were unclear. TBL could mean anything.

At both schools, the solution was to put in place an "oversight group" tasked with ensuring consistency in TBL. This included review of the session plan to make sure it was a TBL (not just a group activity), facilitating or co-facilitating all TBLs across the curriculum, and providing faculty development and training to improve the TBLs and include others in the group. 

This effective approach is described more fully in an upcoming issue of Medical Science Educator.

On the issue of disclosing teaching method. 
I have taught at five medical schools. All of them are absolutely transparent with students about the teaching method and what, if any, preparation is required. 

Hope this is helpful.

Chris Burns
Central Michigan University



Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2014 08:18:35 +0000
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Designating Courses "TBL"
To: [log in to unmask]

I would add to Lane’s commentary on many approaches being methods other than TBL. We have encountered this issue when implementing TBL at our medical school in 2012/13. With some limited faculty training initially many where delivering sessions labelled ‘TBL’ which did not follow the proper process (i.e. effectively often as not small group teaching and in lecture mini-quizzes’ etc.) resulting in the students often giving feedback around “..this TBL session was better than that one…”

 

Representative faulty members meet and agreed the specific criterion for labelling sessions as TBL to ensure this didn’t happen in future years , and so far this has been very successful. Happy to share the document think it will be of use.

 

Regards

Kevin

 

 

Dr Kevin McConville

Senior Clinical Teaching Fellow

University of Dundee

Centre for Undergraduate Medicine

Medical Educational Insititute

Undergraduate Dept. of Tayside Centre for General Practice (uTCGP)

MacKenzie Building

Kirsty Semple Way

Dundee

DD2 4BF

Tel (01382) 383781

 

uTCGP logo 150% smaller size    

 

From: Team-Based Learning [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lane Brunner
Sent: 04 March 2014 22:54
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Designating Courses "TBL"

 

Hello Sharona,

 

It's interesting that the faculty have "mixed feelings" about disclosing to students the methods of teaching used in the classroom. I cannot think of a clear reason why students should not know in advance how a course will be delivered, especially if the delivery method is new to them.

 

Maybe you could ask your fellow faculty members if they were a student if they would want to know or not.

 

Our entire curriculum is being designed to be delivered using TBL and we share this information freely with potential students (and faculty we recruit) so that they are aware of our approach to classroom teaching. We believe it would be unethical for us to "surprise" them (students and faculty) with TBL when most would be expecting the typical death by PowerPoint. TBL requires a completely different approach to learning by the students and I believe it's appropriate for them to know what is in store for them in and out of the classroom.

 

We do not have an institutional policy on disclosing a teaching method, as far as I know, however we are required to post all syllabi to our website. We do not have a policy that dictates how a faculty member is to teach in the classroom. TBL is too new to our campus for a policy that addresses whether or not a course should be called TBL. And I would be surprised if any institution has a policy which is that specific.

 

Many approaches to teaching are commonly referred to as "TBL," but are actually other methods. I have met many faculty members who initially think that when "teams" are involved and "learning" occurs ... it's team-based learning. I think you will miss out on a wonderful opportunity by not sharing with them your intent to use TBL. Your fellow faculty members may be surprised at how positively the students respond if they are well informed in advance of what will happen in the classroom. 

 

Best regards,

 

Lane

 

Lane J. Brunner, Ph.D., R.Ph.

Dean and Sam A. Lindsey Professor

Ben and Maytee Fisch College of Pharmacy

The University of Texas at Tyler

3900 University Blvd, ADM 358

Tyler, TX  75799

Tel: 903.566.7168

 

 


From: Team-Based Learning [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Sharona A. Levy [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 2:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Designating Courses "TBL"

We have been discussing whether or not to designate courses as “TBL” in the schedule of classes so that students are aware that the class will be conducted using TBL before they register.

 

Our faculty have mixed feelings about the pros and cons of doing this. It also raises the question of how to determine whether a  course should be called TBL or not, given the wide variety that students might experience from individual faculty who say they are using TBL.

 

Anyone willing to share their institution’s policies on this matter?

 

Suggestions, experiences, and/or opinions all welcome.

 

Thanks,

Sharona

 

Sharona A. Levy

Faculty Fellow

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

3238 Boylan Hall

Brooklyn College/CUNY

718-951-5000 x8506

[log in to unmask]

 


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