Public institutions face external pressures from state and federal entities, accrediting bodies, and the general public to retain, progress, and graduate students who are prepared for various careers. Expectations for undergraduate core or general education (GE) courses extend beyond teaching content to also developing essential, transferable skills. Students in GE courses, however, may be underprepared, come from diverse backgrounds, and be unmotivated to engage with course material outside of their major. Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a powerful tool to support success inside and outside the GE classroom. These courses present unique challenges for instructors, and we consider how TBL applies in this context. TBL provides a motivating structure with immediate feedback, and the Readiness Assurance Process supports underprepared students in building foundational knowledge and preparing for class. The instructor links general education content to meaningful real-life situations through team 4S application activities. TBL is a supportive learning environment - students build social connections with teammates, learning from and with each other.

 

Based on combined experiences implementing TBL in GE courses across two regionally-serving public institutions, special considerations for TBL in this context will be presented. We review team size and arrangement in varied classroom environments and orientation to teamwork. Supporting student buy-in to the TBL process is particularly important. Examples of real-world application activities to engage non-majors will be discussed. For students with varied levels of preparation, it is important to scaffold learning with additional tools and resources (e.g., structured study guides/reading notes, homework related to preparation, additional graded assignments). Clearly defined, revolving team roles support teamwork and communication for inexperienced students. Instruction and feedback on the peer evaluation process is also important for these learners. From student and instructor perspectives, TBL is an impactful instructional method for introductory level students as these considerations are employed.