IRATs, GRATs, and IFATs: A new vocabulary for the college classroom.

1. IRATs, GRATs, and IFATs: A new vocabulary for the college classroom. Team-Based Learning in Introductory Sociology Classes Mark Killian and Hara Bastas University of Cincinnati – Blue Ash killiamp@mail.uc.edu

2. What is Team-Based Learning? • Uses cooperative learning groups “to provide students with both conceptual and procedural knowledge” (Michaelson & Sweet, 2008). • Teams are comprised of five to seven students and are permanent for the duration of the course. • TBL ensures that students acquire course concepts, but, unlike many lecture-based classes, students in TBL classrooms learn how to apply course concepts.

3. Essential Elements of TBL • Groups must be properly formed and managed • Students must be made individually and corporately accountable • Students must receive frequent and timely feedback • Group Assignments must be designed for multiple participants and promote higher-ordered learning

4. TBL Process • Individual Readiness Assessment Test • Group Readiness Assessment Test • Diagnosis and Feedback • Application of Course Concepts

5. Adapted TBL Process

6. Research Question • Is TBL as effective as lecture dominant instructional methods in introductory sociology classes? • Three measures: • Student performance • Student preparedness • Student’s attitude toward sociology

7. Research Design • Static-Group Design Group 1: X O1 Group 2: O2 • 4 sections of Introductory Sociology I • Tuesdays, 3:00 – 5:40 and 6:20 – 9:00 • Extension Campus • Autumn and Winter terms of 2011-2012

8. Results * p < .05

9. Attitude Results Exciting |__1__|__2__|__3__|__4__|__5__|__6__|__7__| Boring * p ≤.05; ** p ≤ .01

10. Conclusions • Validity Questions • TBL might help produce positive attitudes toward Sociology • Further Research • True Experimental Design • Test the role of reading quizzes

11. 5

12. Times Up!