What is TBL?

Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a structured method of teaching and learning that seeks to meet course outcomes while fostering engagement, accountability, critical thinking and participation in a functional group process. It was first developed in the 1970s by Larry Michaelsen in response to increasing instructional workload and class sizes, as well as increasing pressures on post-secondary institutions to produce more functional and job ready graduates. TBL is a structured format of teaching and learning that breaks course content into modules that are delivered in a three step cycle (Winter, 2020).

TBL is an active learning modality that makes use of multiple educational philosophies and methods to support learning across the spectrum of cognitive levels. The core tenet of TBL focuses on learning outcomes at the applied level and employs the concepts of a flipped classroom and problem based learning to foster student engagement and accountability, critical thinking and team-building (Michaelsen & Sweet, 2008; Winter, 2020).

With TBL, the instructor role shifts from dispensing or banking information to designing and managing overall instructional process. While no less important to teaching and learning, the instructor steps away from being the “sage on the stage” to the “guide from the side” (Winter, 2020, p. 1). This process allows educators to support students as they acquire content knowledge, but embrace the value added application activities that most teachers are unable to find the time for during their classes.

The following is a video of TBL in action: