Hello All,
Is anyone using TBL in “nontraditional” settings? Based on what I hear from my own colleagues, I think a common misconception is, “TBL? That’s what they use in medical schools.” I know TBL is used effectively in workforce training, K-12 education, professional development, and other creative, innovative ways.
Would anyone like to share how you or someone you know is using TBL outside of postsecondary education—perhaps even outside of classroom walls entirely? I’m really interested in learning more about wider applications of TBL!
Thanks!
Richard
Dear Richard,
Over the years, I used classic TBL in Management Training (businesses ranging from a local construction company to large multi-national corporations, with boy scouts and with teenagers in religious education settings. Also, I’ve used 4-S application activities in almost any setting you could name.
Larry
Hi Richard,
When I think of nontraditional TBL, the work of Joe Barry (ETBLC 2025 poster) and Jonny Branney (TBLC 2025 presentation) comes to mind.
Best,
Jared
Hello,
I was going to mention Dr. Branney’s work on patients and pain as well. Because I have one foot each in TBL and Narrative Medicine (NM), as an inquiry on using TBL in unconventional ways is being discussed here, I am taking part in a Narrative Medicine workshop next weekend on unconventional uses of NM. The workshop has 3 sessions on using Narrative Medicine for undergraduate classes (including mine on intertwining NM with TBL) and I will learn more this weekend. Rita
Thank you, Larry! I wonder whether you got better team buy-in from teenagers, or corporate executives? 
Thanks, Jared! Yes, Joe and Jonny are doing remarkable work with pain management & patients.
Hi Rita! Your workshop sounds fascinating, and I would be very interested in hearing about your experience afterward!
I can honestly say that I couldn’t see much difference. Whenever I used the IF-ATs for the tRATs and had well-designed 4-S. activities, the response was enthusiastic with students/participants of every kind. If I had to pick one group, it would probably be the executives. That is because they had more experiences that enabled them to compare TBL to other approaches and could more clearly express the reasons for enjoying and valuing TBL.
Larry
