Transforming dental education: interactive and student-centered learning with team-based learning in the...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Dental Education
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• Educational curricula are shifting towards active, student-centered learning.
• Implementing consistent pedagogical approaches across courses is crucial for curricular reform.
• Team-based learning (TBL) offers a structured method for active learning and skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the implementation of team-based learning (TBL) in a dental school's undergraduate program.
• To evaluate the perceptions of students and faculty regarding TBL's effectiveness and impact.
• To identify challenges and successes in adopting TBL, particularly in an online environment.

Main Methods:

• TBL was introduced as a mandatory component (10% of teaching activities) in the first-year undergraduate dental curriculum.
• A dedicated TBL team facilitated the transition, including faculty training and feedback sessions.
• An online variant of TBL was developed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with IT-services collaboration.
• Evaluations involved separate panel discussions with students and teachers, supplemented by an end-of-year student survey.

Main Results:

• TBL was perceived favorably by both students and faculty, with students appreciating teamwork and added learning value.
• Student survey results showed high scores for collaborative teamwork (average 4.22/5 Likert's Scale).
• TBL was found to be inspiring for teachers, fostering a safe environment for student expression and enhancing collaborative skills.
• The fixed-groups format of TBL provided a sense of belonging, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Conclusions:

• Team-based learning is an effective educational approach for activated learning in dental schools.
• TBL positively impacts student learning, critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and communication skills.
• Successful implementation requires faculty training, ongoing support, and adaptation to different learning environments (online/in-person).