Hi everyone 
We’re just one day away from the start of our June TBL Fundamentals Series! 
Throughout this series, participants will gain insights into effective TBL strategies and innovative approaches to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Each session is designed to provide you with practical skills and actionable techniques that you can implement in your classroom right away. Sessions included in the series 
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Fundamental Principles and Practices of TBL with @brookenodeland and @SteveCayzer
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Evaluating MCQs for Readiness Assurance Tests and Application Activities with @SandyCook and @jaredvanhooser
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Peer Evaluation and Team Development with @TomJansen and Nahla Gomaa
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Improving Facilitation Skills for TBL with Cortny Williams and Diana Langworthy
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Creating an Effective TBL Module with @cmburns2006 and @Richard.Plunkett
Whether you’re new to TBL or looking to enhance your TBL domain knowledge, this workshop series offers valuable insights and practical tools for everyone.
We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this transformative learning journey together!
On June 4, we kicked off the first session in our workshop series, Fundamental Principles and Practices of TBL. Here are some key takeaways from the session
Creating Effective Application Exercises
We discussed the importance of creating significant application exercises that promote critical thinking and real-world problem-solving. These exercises are vital in ensuring that students not only learn theoretical concepts but also apply them practically, which enhances their overall learning experience.
Peer Evaluation for Enhanced Self-Awareness
The session highlighted the role of peer evaluations in maintaining accountability within teams. This process provides students with valuable feedback on their preparedness, participation, and interaction styles, helping them understand how they are perceived by their peers and fostering self-improvement.
Increased Competence in Applying Knowledge
The most significant benefit of TBL identified during the session was its ability to enhance students’ competence in applying knowledge. This advantage surpasses other benefits such as increased motivation or engagement because it directly impacts students’ ability to use their learning in real-life scenarios.
Team Formation in TBL
During this session, facilitators also highlighted the importance of effective team formation, highlighting the need for diversity and balance within teams to foster a collaborative and inclusive learning environment.
Feel free to share your key takeaways from the session in this thread.
We look forward to seeing you in the next sessions!
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We completed the second workshop on Evaluating Multiple Choice Questions for Readiness Assurance Tests and Application Activities. Below find some key takeaways! 
Crafting Effective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Participants delved into the intricacies of designing effective MCQs for Readiness Assurance Tests (RATs) and application activities. The facilitators highlighted the importance of clear and unambiguous questions that challenge students to apply their knowledge and think critically.
Promoting Divergent Thinking through Application Exercises
The workshop emphasized the creation of application exercises that foster divergent thinking. By using Bloom’s Taxonomy, educators can structure questions that encourage students to analyze, evaluate, and create, promoting higher-order thinking and deeper understanding.
Gallery Walk for Interactive Learning
Participants learned about the e-Gallery Walk, an activity where students post their responses to complex problems and engage in peer reviews. This interactive method encourages students to evaluate each other’s work, promoting critical thinking and collaborative learning.
What were your key takeaways from this session?
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We completed our third session on Peer Evaluation and Team Development. Find some key takeaways from the session below:
Fostering a Supportive Team Environment
Peer evaluations should be structured to promote a supportive environment rather than to induce guilt or discomfort. This involves focusing on constructive feedback that can help students identify areas for improvement without feeling targeted or unfairly criticized. Emphasizing the formative nature of feedback can help mitigate feelings of guilt and promote a positive team dynamic.
Improving Team Learning Power
Peer evaluation in team-based learning significantly enhances the team’s learning power by encouraging students to hold each other accountable. As teams evolve, peer evaluations help identify areas for improvement, ensuring that all members contribute effectively and learn at a higher level.
Student Involvement in Evaluation Criteria
Successful implementation of peer evaluation involves students in determining the behavioral criteria that will be evaluated. This strategy ensures that the evaluation process is transparent and that students understand and agree upon the standards by which they are assessed. This involvement also helps in aligning the evaluation criteria with the team’s goals and values.
What were your key takeaways from this session? Share them in this thread!
We wrapped up the fourth session on Facilitation Skills for a TBL Classroom. Presenting some key takeaways from the session below
Create a safe and inclusive learning environment
To ensure all voices are heard and students feel comfortable participating, rotate the spokesperson role within teams. Let students know that everyone will have a turn to present their team’s ideas. This method fosters a supportive atmosphere where quieter students can build confidence and feel valued, promoting a more inclusive and dynamic discussion.
Encourage critical thinking through diverse perspectives
When all teams agree on a single choice, instead of simply validating their consensus, challenge them to think deeper. Ask them to argue for an alternative answer. This approach not only strengthens their understanding of the correct choice but also broadens their critical thinking by exploring different angles and potential misconceptions.
Manage Time Efficiently During Discussions
Time management is a key skill for facilitators. Ensure each activity has a clear beginning and end, and avoid starting new activities if time is limited. Customize your approach based on the time available; if time is short, ensure each application activity has an inter-team debrief and instructor summary. This helps maintain a structured learning environment and ensures all critical points are covered effectively.
What other tips would you use to improve your TBL facilitation skills? Share with us below!
We finalized our 20th TBL Fundamentals Series with another impactful session on Creating an Effective TBL Module. Here’s a recap of 3 key takeaways from the session
Start with Clear Learning Objectives
Before diving into content creation, clearly define what learners should be able to do by the end of the module. This backward design principle ensures that all activities and assessments are aligned with these objectives, providing a focused and effective learning experience.
Integrate Pre-Work Effectively
Effective pre-work is vital for successful TBL sessions. When planning the prework material, you should be careful with cognitive load to avoid overwhelming learners with more content than they can effectively process. Providing students with well-structured and adequate pre-work materials ensures that they come prepared and can fully engage in the class.
Follow the 4S Framework when Designing Applications
The 4S framework—Significant Problem, Same Problem, Specific Choice, and Simultaneous Report—is crucial for designing effective TBL applications. Ensuring that all teams work on the same significant problem, make specific choices, and report their answers simultaneously helps foster a more engaging and cohesive learning experience. This framework helps to maintain consistency across teams, promotes deeper discussions, and enhances critical thinking among students.
A special thank you to our expert facilitators for guiding us through these five workshops. And a big thank you to our participants for their insights and active participation!