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Table 2 Activity schedule during Team-based learning sessions

From: Team-based learning (TBL) in the medical curriculum: better than PBL?

Time

Activity

Explanation of activity

10 min

Individual Readiness Assurance Test (IRAT)

(administered on paper)

At the beginning of each class, students’ individual knowledge of the pre-reading was assessed by 10 Multiple Choice Questions, using single best answer format, with five options.

20 min

Team Readiness Assurance Test (TRAT)

(administered via laptop/Smartsparrow)

The same MCQ test was repeated by the students in their teams (TRAT), immediately upon completion of the IRAT. The test was administered online. One laptop per team was used, with the intent of promoting discussion to establish team consensus. For each question, teams who answered correctly on the first attempt received a score of 4, and those who answered correctly on the fifth attempt scored zero. These scores were then summed across the items to obtain a total score ranging from 0 to 40. Facilitators were able to view each team’s progress throughout the test, and at completion, all scores were made available to the entire class.

20 min

Immediate feedback from the facilitators

The correct answers were then released, and explained, giving immediate feedback on team and individual responses. Thereafter, the facilitator offered clarification, particularly where teams had experienced difficulty, or disputes.

60 min

Clinical problem solving activity

Students then worked in their teams on their problem solving activities, using knowledge consolidated through the prior steps.

10 min

Close

Key take home messages were summarised.