Team-Based Learning (TBL): Theory, Planning, Practice, and Implementation

Abstract

Team-based learning (TBL) is an effective and resource-wise pedagogical tool with the potential to integrate into a broad range of health educational environments and align student learning outcomes with the knowledge and skills needed by graduates in the workforce. Designed to enhance the quality of student learning, TBL offers a unique approach to small group teaching, providing a resource-efficient strategy to transform small groups into teams. The TBL design provides an effective approach to teach a large number of students in an engaging manner that fosters active small and large group discussion, real-time decision-making, and provision of immediate feedback. Going beyond the simple transfer of knowledge content, TBL focuses on the application of knowledge through conceptual and authentic problem-solving activities. The TBL format offers a feedback-rich learning environment, with opportunities for students to develop critical competencies relevant to healthcare education: teamwork abilities and critical thinking skills.