Introduction to Team-Based Learning (TBL)

Article Content

This article covers the following topics. Click on the topic to go to that section of the article.

• Introduction to Team-Based Learning
• Permissions
• Pre-Conditions
• Faculty & Student Resources
• Database Settings

Introduction to Team-Based Learning

Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a collaborative, evidence-based instructional approach designed to promote active learning, accountability, and teamwork. In a typical TBL session, learners first complete pre-class preparation, then demonstrate their understanding through a series of assessments: an Individual Readiness Assurance Test (iRAT) completed independently, followed by a Team Readiness Assurance Test (tRAT) or Group Readiness Assurance Test (gRAT) completed collaboratively in small groups. These are often followed by application exercises, where teams apply concepts to real-world or clinical scenarios.

In Elentra, TBL is supported through the Exams module, which allows instructors to manage and assess these readiness assurance tests digitally. The iRAT can be delivered to individual learners like a traditional exam, while the tRAT/gRAT can be administered to learner groups who work together on the same assessment and receive a shared score. Unlike standard exams, TBL assessments must be manually opened by an event facilitator to begin.

Configuration Requirements

To create a TBL exam in Elentra, the following settings are required:

1. Course Groups: Set up TBL learner groups as course groups (even if used for individual delivery).

2. Learning Event: Associate the relevant course groups with a learning event and select This is a Team-Based Learning (TBL) Event.

3. Exam Settings:

   • Include only multiple-choice questions with exactly four answer options.

   • Assign 1 point per question (no partial credit or alternative scoring formats).

Permissions: 

Create TBL Events, Exams, & Exam Posts: 

• Medtech: Admin
• Staff:Admin
• Faculty:Director (for assigned courses)
• Staff:PCoordinator (for assigned courses)

Open & Facilitate TBL Exams:

• Medtech: Admin
• Staff:Admin
• Faculty:Director (for events associated with assigned course(s))
• Staff:PCoordinator (for events associated with assigned course(s))
• Faculty:Lecturer (for assigned events)

Pre-Conditions: 

In order to use all features of the TBL module, the following components must be built within Elentra:

1. Set up your Organization (all the following steps are required per Organization)
2. Upload the admin, faculty & student users in the Manage Users module
3. Create Curriculum Layouts & Periods
4. Create courses within the above curriculum layouts
5. Enroll students in their course/program (course audience)
6. Configure course groups with members
7. Configure an event with the appropriate course groups and event facilitator(s)

Faculty & Learner Resources

• Faculty TBL article: Facilitate a Team-Based Learning Event
• Learner TBL article: Participate in a Team-Based Learning (TBL) Event

Database Settings: