Plus two upcoming TBL workshops next week – sign up!
TBL for supported self-management of low back pain
A team based in the Department of Nursing Science led by Dr Jonny Branney have began a research project to investigate the potential role of Team-based Learning (TBL – for more on TBL, please read on) in enhancing the supported self-management of patients with low back pain. The team will be working with Joe Barry, musculoskeletal physiotherapist, NHS Somerset, to implement this new approach in a 5-week course for patients with persistent back pain. The project began with a patient-public involvement (PPI) online consultation in February 2024, funded by NIHR RDS South West, where 10 expert patients gave their views on what was planned – and the plans have been modified and improved accordingly. The TBL pain classes will be implemented in April-May 2024. The team are eagerly awaiting the outcome of a bid for a TBLC Research Grant which would fund a researcher to interview the patients who attend the first class to learn from their experiences with a view to learning how best to scale up the innovation.
Connected to this research there are two TBL workshops running next week – if this has piqued your interest then please read on and we hope you can join us next week!
Team-Based Learning (TBL) is an evidence based flipped classroom teaching and learning strategy. With TBL, students are required to engage with pre-class materials before working through a test in class as an individual and then in a team of 5-6 students. This process helps to prepare the student teams to then engage with application exercises, where they apply their knowledge in making decisions to manage real-world scenarios relevant to their discipline. Think TBL might be a good fit for your teaching and learning approach? Fancy trying something different? Come and join us!
Facilitators: Dr Jonny Branney, Principal Academic in Nursing and Clinical Sciences; Certified Consultant-Trainer in TBL
and Ryan Muldoon, Lecturer in Adult Nursing
Venue: BRANKSOME – Talbot Campus
Date: Wednesday 6th March 2024
Workshop 1: Fundamental Principles and Practices of TBL (10am – 12pm)
Learning outcomes:
- Describe the essential elements of TBL
- Explain clearly and concisely how and why TBL works
- Evaluate the benefits of using TBL
Workshop 2: Evaluating Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Readiness Assurance Tests (RATs) and Application Activities (1pm – 3pm)
Learning outcomes:
- Compare and contrast MCQs for RATs, exams and applications
- Link MCQs to session learning outcomes
- Identify common errors and barriers to writing effective MCQ questions
Want to know more? Have a look here: www.teambasedlearning.org
Hope to see you there!

Team-based Learning – want to give it a try? Find out about it (tomorrow) Wednesday 13th April!










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