Even though there are many instructional approaches specifically developed for vocational high school students, the most predominant instructional method is still teacher-led lecturing and other conventional instructional approaches, such as small gro...
Even though there are many instructional approaches specifically developed for vocational high school students, the most predominant instructional method is still teacher-led lecturing and other conventional instructional approaches, such as small group-based learning, collaborative learning, project-based learning, individualized instruction, and role playing, to name a few. Team-based learning can be an effective instructional approach for student-led learning because team-based learning allows students to obtain complex knowledge systems of actual working environments and to work collaboratively with peers, which facilitates development of problem solving and decision-making skills. The goal of the present study was to investigate effects of team-based learning on vocational technical high school students’task performance, learning activities, and motivation. This study specifically compared team-based learning with teacher-led lecturing and discussion-based small group learning.
Pre-tests of task performance, learning activities, and motivation indicated only motivation was statistically different among the three groups. Thus motivation was selected as a covariate to analyze the post-test for task performance, and the team-based learning group significantly outperformed the other two groups. Also, the team-based learning group reported a statistically higher level of task performance efforts. However, motivation and learning activities did not significantly differ. One possible explanation is the fact that it takes some time for affective changes to occur for motivation. In-depth interviews were followed and students within the team-based learning group reported they actively participated in class and had positive experiences, which indicates potential positive effects of team-based learning on students’ motivation. Among various facets of learning activities, peer collaboration related variables, such as leadership, communication, and feedback, significantly differed, whereas perceptions about learning activities, leadership, communication, monitoring, and feedback were not significantly different.
From in-depth interviews with students who were assigned in the team-based learning group, students reported they liked team-based learning because it gave them equal opportunities for participation, increased teacher’s attention, facilitated motivation for learning, and enjoyed interacting with peers. The results from classroom observations and in-depth interviews suggestteam-based learning increases team-based works, as well as has a positive impact on knowledge acquisition. Students also responded that they enjoyed the topics requiring deep discussions around cases and that helped them to perceive differences clearly. One drawback of team-based learning is that the way a team is formed can affect the quality of team discussion, division of labor, and overall performance.
The present study supports statistically significant effects of team-based learning to improve vocational technical high school students’ task performance and performance efforts. Additionally, team-based learning showed potentials to improve leadership, communication, and feedback. Therefore, team-based learning needs to be considered as a new instructional approach for vocational high school. To make team-based learning successful, teachers will need to take more systematic approaches to planning and devote attention to students’ prior learning.