Stylus Publishing (VA) Team-Based Learning in the Social Sciences and Humanities: Group Work that Works to Generate Critical Thinking and Engagement

<p>Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a unique, powerful, and proven form of small-group learning that is being increasingly adopted in higher education. Teachers who use TBL report high levels of engagement, critical thinking, and retention among their students. TBL has been used successfully in both small and large classes, in computer-supported and online classes; and because it is group work that works, it has been implemented in nearly every discipline and in countries around the world.</p><p>This book introduces the elements of TBL and how to apply them in the social sciences and humanities. It describes the four essential elements of TBL – readiness assurance, design of application exercises, permanent teams, peer evaluation – and pays particular attention to the specification of learning outcomes, which can be a unique challenge in our fields.</p><p>The core of the book consists of examples of how TBL has been incorporated into the cultures of disciplines as varied as economics, education, literature, politics, psychology, and theatre. The authors explain why they felt a need to change how they taught and why they chose TBL. Furthermore, each chapter provides examples of the assignments and exercises they use to help their students achieve the specific learning outcomes of their courses.</p><p>At a time of increasing course sizes, and emphasis on learning outcomes, TBL offers the means to meet such demands while connecting students to their coursework, and stimulating their intellectual engagement.</p> Review It is always a pleasure to read and review a book that resonates with one's own professional 'touchstones' and this work did not disappoint. The mantra, 'it is essential we provide the lifelong learning and work skills to prepare learners to be effective in collaborative group work contexts they will undoubtedly find themselves [in].' can elicit collective bobbing nods of agreement from almost any audience of educators. Combine this imperative with the timeless need to explicitly integrate critical thinking and learner engagement into our curricula and you will, undoubtedly, rouse even the most somnolent to rise to their feet, applauding. This book, edited by Michael Sweet and Larry Michaelsen succeeds in elegantly dovetailing these elements and in the process 'gets our attention' with its emphasis on practical applications--moving theory into practice.-- "Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education" (5/1/2013 12:00:00 AM)Writings on practical aspects of a small-group approach to learning that can be used in both small and large classes, as well as in online education.-- "The Chronicle of Higher Ed" (3/1/2012 12:00:00 AM) About the Author Michael Sweet is the Director of Instructional Development for the Center of Teaching and Learning (CTL) at the University of Texas, Austin. He holds a Ph.D. Educational Psychology from UT and a Master's degree in Group Communication from the University of California, Davis. Michael has been a college-level faculty developer since 1995, having worked at the University of Oregon and Portland Community College before joining UT Austin in 2004. Michael has published, edited and presented widely on group dynamics and collaborative learning and is currently President of the international Team-Based Learning Collaborative (TBLC).||Larry K. Michaelsen is Professor of Management at Central Missouri State University and is David Ross Boyd Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma, a Carnegie Scholar, a Fulbright Senior Scholar, and former Editor of the <i>Journal of Management Education</i>. He is active in faculty and staff development activities and has conducted workshops on teaching effectively with small groups in a wide variety of university and, corporate settings. Dr. Michaelsen has also received numerous college, university, and national awards for his outstanding tea