Back to the future: team-centred, resource- based learning as the antecedent of computer-based learning

In this paper, I argue that gains can be made in both staff efficiency and educational value by replacing the traditional lecture/practical format of higher-education courses with a new format involving teamcentred, resource-based learning (RBL). Under the new format, students are deployed in independent teams to tackle a series of tasks supported by various resources, including documentation, email access to a tutor and, of course, the team itself. The new format also fosters personal transferable skills (teamwork, time management), which are not directly addressed by the traditional lecture/practical format. I further argue that whereas computer-based learning applications typically have a minor role as an adjunct to the traditional lecture format, they provide a natural medium for the delivery of resources in the RBL format. I illustrate my contention by reference to Bio. 1001, a course in fundamental science skills for first-year undergraduates. The results of student evaluations exemplify the success of the RBL format in Bio. 1001. Moreover, the new course returned substantial increases in staff efficiency. I describe the potential for computers to play a greater part in the course in future. In conclusion, I speculate that the team-based, RBL format can be usefully generalized to any course that can be converted to continuous assessment by serial, group tasks.