In-class groupwork
In-class groupwork is a strategy in which tasks involving team work are used to enhance students learning.
What is Team-Based Learning (TBL)?
Team-Based Learning (Michaelson, Knight and Dee Fink, 2002) is one established approach that can be used as a way of structuring a whole unit, and can include a substantial proportion of the assessment for a unit of study. TBL dramatically shifts the focus of classroom time from a lecturer or tutor conveying course concepts to the application of concepts by students. In the TBL process, students acquire their initial exposure to the content through readings and are held accountable for their preparation using a Readiness Application Process (RAP). Following the RAP, students practice in-class learning to apply the content using a series of team application exercises. TBL therefore:
- is an instructional strategy that primarily emphasises learning to use concepts rather than learning about them.
- has a substantial part of the unit assessment as based on group performance.
- redefines the primary roles and responsibilities in the learning process.
- from teacher as dispenser of knowledge to course designer and manager of overall instructional process.
- from student as passive receivers of information to active participants who are accountable and responsible for their learning.
Necessary components of Team-based Learning
- Heterogeneous composition of diverse interdependent work teams.
- Clear, specific, and widely shared goals that encourage group cohesion.
- Sufficiently difficult and meaningful team activities that do not allow one person to accomplish alone.
- Regular, descriptive, specific, relevant, timely and usable internal peer feedback.
- External comparisons which are emphasised through immediate and ongoing feedback about performances relative to other team.
More information about TBL
Michaelson, L.K., Knight, A. B. and Dee Fink, L. (2002) Team-based Learning: a transformative use of small groups. USA, Praeger Publishers.
Summary of Team-Based Learning: Alternative to Lecturing in Large Class Settings.
Team-Based Learning from CIS Wiki.(accessed 11/2/09)
Team-Based learning: The power of Teams for Powerful Learning University of Oklahoma (accessed 11/2/09)
In-class eLearning: Using technology in conjunction with team-based learning.
Team-based learning question-writing checklist from CIS wiki.