Team-based learning versus Traditional lecture-based learning: An investigation of students’ perceptions and academic achievements

Objectives: Evaluation of TBL from students’ perspective has been done extensively, but limited studies have analyzed the effect of TBL on students’ academic performance. Objectives of the present study were to assess students’ perceptions about team-based learning versus traditional lectures and then to compare with students’ grades in both TBL and lecture-based assessments.

Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study which included 147 dentistry students was conducted between March and June, 2020 at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. A self-composed 10 item closed ended instrument was administered through electronic mail. One block from each academic year was selected randomly and organizers were requested to provide grades of students in both TBL and lecture-based exams. Grades from A to F were determined as achievement indicator and were compared statistically using Kruskal Wallis, Tuckey Posthoc and Chi-square tests.

Results: A total of 120 students (81.6%) responded to the survey, and mean perception score was (3.29±0.94). Perceptions of students, regarding TBL as a learning strategy were comparatively superior as compared to the lectures. Students scored significantly higher grades in TBL exams (p<0.05) as compared to lecture-based assessments. Gender-wise analysis indicated that female students secured significantly higher grades in the TBL.

Conclusion: We conclude that dentistry students perceived TBL as superior teaching and learning strategy compared to traditional lectures. Their perception was verified by their significant higher academic achievements in the assessments for the coursework taught by utilizing team-based learning strategy.