Team-Based Inquiry Learning

About TBIL

What is TBIL?

Team-Based Inquiry Learning (TBIL) is an implementation of Team-Based Learning as Inquiry-Based Learning for mathematics. Team-Based Learning is popular in other disciplines such as health sciences, where it is most often implemented as Flipped Learning and/or Case-Based Learning. In mathematics, however, we view it as a way to more easily bring Inquiry-Based Learning into lower division courses such as Calculus and Linear Algebra.

To help instructors get started, we host a library of free and open-source educational resources aligned for use with TBIL.

Join the Community

If you're planning to use TBIL in your classroom, you can get a link to join our Slack community by completing this survey. Joining our Slack allows you to chat with other community members and TBIL experts.

Publications

• Lewis, D., Clontz, S., and Estis, J. 2021. Team-Based Inquiry Learning. PRIMUS 31 (2), 223-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/10511970.2019.1666440

  • Team-Based Learning (TBL) is a cooperative learning strategy blending elements of flipped learning, inquiry-based learning, and problem-based learning. Although used quite frequently in other disciplines, use of this strategy in mathematics has been limited. In this article, we describe how TBL can be implemented in math courses with adherence to essential elements of TBL and introduce modifications specific to mathematics instruction. In particular, we introduce a particular style of TBL, which we term Team-Based Inquiry Learning, that satisfies the defining pillars of inquiry-based learning.

• Lewis, D. and Estis, J. 2020. Improving Mathematics Content Mastery and Enhancing Flexible Problem Solving through Team-Based Inquiry Learning. Teaching & Learning Inquiry 8 (2), 165-183. https://doi.org/10.20343/teachlearninqu.8.2.11

  • This article examines how student learning is affected by the use of team-based inquiry learning, a novel pedagogy in mathematics that uses team-based learning to implement inquiry-based learning. We conducted quasi-experimental and observational studies in intermediate level mathematics courses, finding that team-based inquiry learning led to increased content mastery and that students took a more flexible approach to solving problems. We also found that in the courses using this pedagogy, women (but not men) had a reduction in communication apprehension over the course of a semester. We conclude that team-based inquiry learning effectively enhances student learning and problem solving, preparing students for future academic success and fostering career readiness.

• Lewis, D., Clontz, S., Parrish, C., Estis, J., and Chaudhury, S.R. To Appear. Supporting Instructors in Implementing Team-Based Inquiry Learning. Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education. http://sigmaa.maa.org/rume/crume2024/papers/117.pdf

  • Team-Based Inquiry Learning (TBIL) is a novel active learning pedagogy designed to facilitate the use of inquiry-based learning in lower division courses. This preliminary report examines supports provided by the TBIL project to instructors, as well as the fidelity of implementation of TBIL by participants of the project. Initial findings suggest that classroom-ready materials and ongoing support, both synchronous and asynchronous, were most helpful to faculty in their TBIL implementations.

Selected mentions in other literature

• Muhammad, R. A., & Saidi, R. (2024). Applications in Linear Algebra: Bridging Data Science with Mathematical Foundations. Scatterplot, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/29932955.2024.2370620

Presentations

• Kate Owens† has created these excellent slides overviewing TBIL and resources to implement it in your classroom.

• Drew Lewis gave a colloquium presentation on "Team-Based Inquiry Learning" at the University of Tennessee Department of Mathematics (October 2022)

• Kate Owens† & Abby Noble† presented "How we juggled all the things: SBG+TBIL+CheckIt+LMS" at the Fall 2023 Southeast Sectional Meeting of the American Mathematics Society

• Jordan Kostiuk† presented on "TBIL & Student Motivation" at the 2023 AAC&U STEM Conference

• Manoj Lamichhane† presented "Implementation of Team Based Inquiry Learning (TBIL) in Calculus Classes at Florida Polytechnic University" at the Third International Conference on Applications of Mathematics to Nonlinear Sciences (May 2023)

• Francesca Gandini† & Joe Hibdon† presented "Making Student Thinking Visible with Team-Based Inquiry Learning" at the 2024 Joint Mathematics Meeting

• Drew Lewis presented "Team-Based Inquiry Learning in Lower Division Mathematics Courses" at the 2024 Joint Mathematics Meeting

• Megan Chang-Lee† presented "Teaching with Team-Based Inquiry Learning: Joyful Teaching" at the 2024 Joint Mathematics Meeting

• Kate Owens† presented "A Quick-Start Guide on Team-Based Inquiry Learning" on February 16, 2024 for the Southeast IBL COMMIT

• Jared Bunn† and Manoj Lamichhane† presented a "Team-Based Inquiry Learning Workshop" at the 2024 joint meeting of the MAA-Florida Section and FTYCMA

• Drew Lewis presented "Supporting Instructors in Implementing Team-Based Inquiry Learning" at the 26th annual Conference on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (February 2024)

• Joe Hibdon† presented "Using Team-Based Inquiry Learning in Mathematics Courses" at the April 2024 Chicago Symposium Series, Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and Science: Research and Practice

• Drew Lewis presented a workshop on "Team-Based Inquiry Learning" for the Brown University Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning (April 2024)

• Drew Lewis presented "Team-Based Inquiry Learning in Lower Division Mathematics Courses" at the 2024 IUSE Summit

(† TBIL Fellows)