Mini workshop on Team Based Learning

The workshop was conducted by Dr. Elissa Ladd, Associate Professor, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston. The aim of this workshop was to orient on the process of team Based learning.
Dr Ladd in her talk said, in Team-based learning (TBL) the students are divided into teams of 5-7 who work together throughout the class. She continued saying, prior to each unit of the course and before each class, the students should read and prepare themselves. In the first class of the unit, students participate in a “Readiness Assurance Process,” or RAP. Specifically, students complete a test individually; and then complete the test with their group members. Both the individual scores and the group scores contribute to the students’ grades. The tests are typically multiple choice, and students often complete the group test and promoting student discussion of correct answers.  

Dr. Ladd also demonstrated practical sessions on Readiness assessment process by using multiple choice questions with case scenario. She also highlighted that following the group test, the teacher encourages teams to appeal for the questions which they feel incorrect. The appeal process encourages students to review the material, evaluate their understanding, and defend the choice they made. At the end after the Readiness Assurance Process, the teacher gives a mini-lecture that focuses on concepts with which students struggled the most.
She concluded with saying in team based learning the role of a teacher shift from sage on stage to guiding beside the students. Thirty faculty and five postgraduate students attended the workshop, which includes participants from Biotechnology, pharmacy and Nursing. The participants actively participated in the workshop as this was an innovative method of teaching.