Team-Based Learning (TBL)

Authors

  • Wanna Ardonk -

Abstract

Team-based Learning (TBL) is an increasingly adopted active learning strategy in medical education. It is remarkably well-suited for 21st-century medical education, which healthcare workers often challenge due to new information overload and require more than just rote memorisation. TBL fosters accountability, critical thinking, collaborative skills, and communication through specific steps of learning— pre-class preparation, I-RAT, G-RAT, and the step of complex problem-solving. Effective TBL relies on well-structured assignments, immediate feedback, and robust team dynamics. This review aims to provide medical educators with a foundational understanding of the TBL approach.  Understanding these elements is crucial for the successful integration of TBL, enhancing student engagement, knowledge retention, and the development of essential competencies for future medical practice.

Keywords: Team-based learning, medical education, Active learning

References

McLeod, S. A. (2019). What is the zone of proximal development? Simply

Psychology

Bloom, B. S., and Krathwohl, D. R., et al. (1956) Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals, by a committee of college and university examiners. Handbook I: Cognitive domain. NY, NY: Longmans, Green

Anderson, L. W., Krathwohl, D. R., Airasian, P. W., Cruikshank, K. A., Mayer,

R. E., Pintrich, P. R., Raths, J., & Wittrock, M. C. (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of

Educational Objectives. New York: Longman.

Michaelsen, L. K., Knight, A. B., & Fink, L. D. (2004). Team-based learning:

A transformative use of small groups in college teaching. Stylus Publishing.

Michaelsen, L. K., M. Sweet and D. Pamalee. (2009). “The Essential Elements of Team-Based Learning: Small Group Learning’s Next Big Step. New Directions in Teaching and Learning, Chapter One 7-27.

Michaelsen L. Team-based learning for health professions education: A guide to using small groups for improving learning. 2008; doi:10.3946/KJME.2013.25.2.169

Lage, M. J., Platt, G. J., and Treglia, M., “Inverting the classroom: A gateway to creating an inclusive learning environment”, The Journal of Economic Education, 31:30-43, 2000.

Burgess, A., van Diggele, C., Roberts, C. et al. Team-based learning: design,

facilitation and participation. BMC Med Educ 20 (Suppl 2), 461 (2020).

Parmelee D, Michaelsen LK, Cook S, Hudes PD. Team-based learning: a practical guide: AMEE guide no. 65. Med Teach. 2012;34(5):e275-87. doi: 10.3109/0142159X.2012.651179. Epub 2012 Apr 4. PMID: 22471941

Sharma, N., & Singh, S. (2023). Comparison of problem-based and team-based learning strategies: a multi-institutional investigation. Frontiers in Education, 8, 1301269.

Zhang, W., Wei, J., Guo, W. et al. Comparing the effects of team-based and problem-based learning strategies in medical education: a systematic review. BMC Med Educ 24, 172 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05107-9

Downloads

Published

2025-12-22