The Impact of Team-Based Learning on Nervous System Examination Knowledge of Nursing Students

Team-based learning is one of the active learning approaches in which
independent learning is combined with small group discussion in the class. This study
aimed to determine the impact of team-based learning in nervous system examination
knowledge of nursing students.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 3rd grade nursing students,
including 5th semester (intervention group) and 6th semester (control group). The
traditional lecture method and the team-based learning method were used for educating
the examination of the nervous system for intervention and control groups,
respectively. The data were collected by a test covering 40-questions (multiple choice,
matching, gap-filling and descriptive questions) before and after intervention in both
groups. Individual Readiness Assurance Test (RAT) and Group Readiness Assurance
Test (GRAT) used to collect data in the intervention group. In the end, the collected
data were analyzed by SPSS ver. 13 using descriptive and inferential statistical tests.
Results: In team-based learning group, mean and standard deviation was 13.39 (4.52)
before the intervention, which had been increased to 31.07 (3.20) after the intervention
and this increase was statistically significant. Also, there was a statistically significant
difference between the scores of RAT and GRAT in team-based learning group.
Conclusion: Using team-based learning approach resulted in much better improvement
and stability in the nervous system examination knowledge of nursing students
compared to traditional lecture method; therefore, this method could be efficiently used
as an effective educational approach in nursing education