Work in progress — Adapting team-based learning to the first circuit theory course

The purpose of this work-in-progress paper is to report progress made in adapting the learning strategy known as team-based learning for use in the required sophomore-level electric circuit theory course. The project is motivated by the desire to introduce students to self-directed independent learning and to learning in groups early in their programs, both of which concepts are, in theory, provided by team-based learning. Despite the potential benefits, several practical challenges have been encountered while attempting to implement the strategy. These include motivating students to study and learn new material outside of class and before encountering it in the classroom; and motivating them to follow a prescribed model of good group work. The paper describes progress in overcoming these and other challenges, and changes being implemented to improve the approach.