Implementation of team-based learning on a large scale: Three factors to keep in mind*

Abstract

Team-based learning (TBL) is a structured form of small group learning that can be scaled up for delivery in large classes. The principles of successful TBL implementation are well established. TBL has become widely practiced in medical schools, but its use is typically limited to certain courses or parts of courses. Implementing TBL on a large scale, across different courses and disciplines, is the next logical step. The Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine (LKCMedicine), a partnership between Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Imperial College London, admitted its first students in 2013. This new undergraduate medical program, developed collaboratively by faculty at both institutions, uses TBL as its main learning and teaching strategy, replacing all face-to-face lectures. TBL accounts for over 60% of the curriculum in the first two years, and there is continued learning through TBL during campus teaching in the remaining years. This paper describes our experience of rolling out TBL across all years of the medical curriculum, focusing on three success factors: (1) "team-centric" learning spaces, to foster active, collaborative learning; (2) an e-learning ecosystem, seamlessly integrated to support all phases of the TBL process and (3) teaching teams in which experts in pedagogical process (TBL Facilitators) co-teach with experts in subject matter (Content Experts).

Summative and Formative Style Anatomy Practical Examinations: Do They Have Impact on Students’ Performance and Drive for Learning?

“…With these in mind, medical schools are moving toward employing a pedagogical or mixture of pedagogical and andragogical approach to learning (Wormald et al, 2009;Choudhury and Freemont, 2017). Many medical schools have adopted student-centered pedagogies in their curriculum, where students are placed center stage and the teacher facilitates the students' learning process (Rajalingam et al, 2018). This method enables the student to learn actively via collaborative learning rather than depending on the teachers for knowledge transfer (Choudhury and Freemont, 2017).…”

Team-Based Learning: Benefits on Learning and Students’ Perception

“…TBL also improves students' attitudes towards working with peers. It is an effective teaching method to ensure a consistent approach to problem-solving and curriculum integration in workshop sessions for a pathophysiology and therapeutics course sequence (29)(30). TBL is an effective supplement to cadaveric team, an adequate facility in teaching and learning activities using TBL as well as the academician acceptance plays a major role.…”

Winds of change in medical education in Singapore: what does the future hold?

“…At the same time, the two newer medical schools have advanced even more innovative educational approaches, including team-based learning and mandatory interprofessional education in clinical rotations. (4,5) While these changes are in line with global trends and best practices, a monumental change in postgraduate medical education in Singapore also took place in the last decade. In the quest for better-quality specialty training as well as to meet the rising need for specialists in the late 2000s, Singapore shifted from the basic and advanced specialty training system to the United States (US) residency system under the purview of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-International.…”