Jumpstarting Team Cohesion with Team Activity Debriefings

Although peer evaluations are essential to team-based learning, they can be problematic. Team activity debriefings (TAD) are advantageous because they focus on the team's problem-solving strategies and teamwork skills. Students (N = 100) who used both tools reported that TADs were more helpful in developing team cohesion, helping students understand the characteristics of well-functioning teams, and helping students work better as a team. Peer evaluations were more helpful in evaluating and improving their own contributions to the team. Using both tools may be the best way to foster teamwork skills and hold students accountable for making positive contributions to the team.