Eye and Ear: A Team-Based Learning Module for Histology

Abstract Introduction Team-based learning (TBL) is an instructional strategy that promotes greater student engagement in the classroom. When employing TBL, scheduled class time is not used for lecturing. Rather, students are expected to master the basic facts and concepts of the subject matter before coming to class; in-class time is devoted to applying this knowledge to solve challenging problems with students' teams. The purpose of this module is for learners to become familiarized with the eye and the ear. The module enables students to describe the structural and functional characteristics of the eye and ear, explain how visual, auditory, and vestibular information is sensed, and interpret select clinical data related to disorders of these sense organs. Methods This TBL module consists of four documents, including the Instructor's Guide, the Individual Readiness Assurance Test (iRAT), the Group Readiness Assurance Test (gRAT), and the Group Application Exercise. Explanations of correct answers are provided with the iRAT and Group Application Exercise documents. Results When we implemented this module with a class of 30 graduate students, the mean scores for the iRAT (82.4%), the gRAT (100%), and the clinically oriented Group Application Exercise (94.8%) reflected solid student understanding of the structure and function of the special senses. Discussion These results show that TBL methodology is an effective strategy to teach graduate-level histology and that students do not require formal lectures to learn the material. Based on our experience, we believe that TBL offers learning outcomes comparable to lecture-based instruction but with greater clinical relevance.