Best Teaching/Learning Strategies to Foster Collaborative Learning and Team Building: A Literature Review

This literature review explores the best teaching strategies to foster collaborative learning and team building in nursing education. It discusses evidence-based active learning strategies and their effectiveness. The review highlights the need for further research in this area.

Best Teaching/Learning Strategies to Foster Collaborative Learning and Team Building
A Literature Review
Jeannie Couper, PhD, RN-BC, CNE1,2
1Fairleigh Dickinson University, 2Saint Barnabas Medical Center
INTRODUCTION
METHODS
CONCLUSIONS
DISCUSSION
RESULTS
REFERENCES
ABSTRACT
CONTACT
RESULTS
Jeannie Couper, PhD, RN-BC, CNE
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Email: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]
As global citizens, nursing students are
concerned about their local communities as
well as national and international interests.
Social media, long-distance learning, and study
abroad programs have fostered a global
learning environment. Collaborative learning
appears to foster interprofessional
relationships and improve patient outcomes.
A narrow literature review of evidence-based
active learning strategies published between
2013 and 2017 focused on collaborative
learning and team building in nursing
education. Eight strategies were identified
including the incorporation of concept maps or
mind mapping, inter-professional practice
models, simulation with role-playing, the use of
social media, team-based learning, team-
building interventions, role-playing, and
interprofessional education (IPE) programs to
address core competencies.
Although many student-centered teaching-
learning strategies were identified, evidence is
scarce for each. The evidence to support best
practices to foster collaborative learning and
team-building remains limited. Further
research is required.
Although eight strategies were identified in the 11 studies in the most
recent literature, there are very few studies evaluating the effectiveness
of teaching strategies to foster collaborative learning and team-building.
Student-centered teaching-learning strategies identified include:
• the incorporation of concept maps or mind mapping
(Rosciano, 2015)
• integration of inter-professional practice models
(Sheppard et al., 2015)
• simulation with role-playing
(Wheeler & McNelis, 2014)
• the use of instructor-led simulation activities
(Luctkar-Flude et al., 2017)
• the use of social media
(Stephens & Gunther, 2016)
• team-based learning
(Cheng et al., 2014; Cheng et al., 2014)
• team-building interventions
(Yi, 2015)
• role-playing
(Wheeler & McNelis,2014)
• IPE simulation to address core competencies
(Murphy & Nimmagadda, 2015)
The effectiveness of teaching strategies in nursing remains grossly
under studied. Nurse educators are seeking alternative
learning/teaching strategies to reach Millennial students who desire to
be actively engaged in the learning process.
These strategies afford students multiple opportunities to take
ownership of their learning, build on previous knowledge and
experiences, and learn to function effectively in inter-professional
teams.
Successful learning should positively impact patient outcomes, as
graduates are more prepared to practice collaboratively within the
multidisciplinary work environment.
More research needs to be done to further identify best-teaching
strategies to foster collaborative learning and team-building in nursing
education.
English-speaking, peer-reviewed sources published between 2013-2017
were examined to determine the current state of knowledge and
evidence of best teaching strategies to foster collaborative learning and
team-building in nursing education.
Data sources included CINAHL, ScienceDirect, and SAGE. Keywords
included collaborative learning, teambuilding, team-work, and nursing
education. Thirty articles were reviewed for relevance. Articles that
were theoretical or case studies were excluded. Eleven research
studies are included in this review.
The findings of this literature yield inconclusive results. More robust
research is needed to address this scarcity of evidence of best
educational practices to foster collaborative learning and team building,
and to promote deeper, more meaningful learning in nursing education.
Nurse are foundational to the health of communities and the nation. As
global citizens, nursing students are concerned about their local
communities as well as national and international interests. Social
media, long-distance learning, and study abroad programs have
fostered a global learning environment.
Students are expected to care for the whole person in collaboration
with a team of healthcare providers as patient care is more than
treating the illness or disability but requires the physical, emotional,
psychological and social needs of the patient/client be addressed.
Collaborative learning appears to foster inter-professional relationships
and improve patient outcomes.
Many nurse educators have adopted active learning strategies which
promote team work and collaborative learning beyond the classroom.
Many of the active learning strategies described in the literature support
student learning, and collaboration such as gaming (Boctor, 2016), a
global- service learning program (Kreye & Oetker-Black, 2013), and
simulation (Murphy & Nimmagadda, 2015), but lack the evidence to
support their effectiveness. There remains a paucity of research to
evaluate the best teaching strategies and practices to foster
collaborative learning and team-building.
Collaborative learning is supported by active learning strategies which
are student-centered. Active learning strategies are designed to
facilitate student learning by fostering inquiry and reflection, encourage
problem-solving, and promote critical thinking and deeper learning.
In an effort to explore the best evidence available to foster team building
and promote deeper learning in nursing education, a narrow literature
review of evidence-based active learning strategies focused on
collaborative learning was conducted.
Boctor, L. Active learning strategies: The use of gaming to reinforce learning in
nursing education. A case study. Nurse Education in Practice, 13(12),
96-100. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2012.07.010
Cheng, C., Liou, S., Hsu, T, Pan, M., Liu, H., & Chang, C.(2014). Preparing
nursing students to be competent for future professional practice: Applying
Team-based Learning- Teaching strategy. Journal of Professional Nursing,
30(4), 347-356. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2013.11.005
Cheng, C., Liou, S., Tsai, H., & Chang, C. (2014). The effects of Team-based
Learning on learning behaviors in the maternal-child nursing course.
Nurse Education Today, 34(1), 25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2013.03.013
Del Rossi, L., Kientz, M., Padden, M. , McGinnis, P., & Pawlowska, M. (2017). A
novel approach to pediatric education using interprofessional
collaboration. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 31(2), 119-130.
Delunas, L. R. & Rouse, S. (2014). Nursing and medical student attitudes about
communication and collaboration before and after interprofessional
education experience. Nursing Education Perspectives, 35(2), 100-
105. doi: 10.5480/11-716.1
Kreye, S., & Oetker- Black, S. ( 2013). A global service-learning experience for
nursing students in Tanzania: A model for collaboration. Nursing Forum,
48(4), 256-261. doi: org/10.1111/nuf.12046
Luctkar-Flude, M., Wilson-Keates, B., Tyerman, J., Larocque, M., & Brown, C. A.
(2017). Comparing instructor-led versus student-led simulation
facilitation methods for novice nursing students. Clinical Simulation in
Nursing,13(6), 264-269.
Murphy, J. I., & Nimmagadda, J. (2015). Partnering to provide simulated learning
to address Interprofessional Education Collaborative core competencies.
Journal of Interprofessional Care, 29(3), 258-259. doi:
10.3109/13561820.2014.942779
Rosciano, A. (2015). The effectiveness of mindmapping as an active learning strategy
among associate nursing students. In Teaching and Learning in
Nursing,10(2):93-99. doi: 10.1016/j.teln.2015.01.003
Sheppard, K. D., Ford, C. R., Sawyer, P., Foley, K., Harada, C. N., Brown, C. J.,
& Ritchie, C. S. (2015). The interprofessional clinical experience.:
Interprofessional education in the nursing home. Journal
of Interprofessional Care, 29(2), 170-172.
Stephens, T. M., & Gunther, M. E. (2016). Twitter, millennials, and nursing education
research. Nursing Education Perspectives, 37(1), 23-27.doi: 10.5480/14-1462
Wheeler, C. A. & McNelis, A. M. (2014). Nursing student perceptions of a
community-based home visit experienced by a role-play simulation.
Nursing Education Perspectives, 35(4), 259-261.
Yi, Y. J. (2016). Effects of teambuilding on communication and teamwork among
nursing students. International Nursing Review, 63(1), 33-40.
Peer-reviewed
articles
Author and year
Country Sample Sample
size
Design Data collection
method
Analysis technique Key findings or results
Cheng, Liou, Hsu,
Pan, Liu, & Chang
2014
Taiwan RN-to-BSN
students
In 4 courses
387 Quasi-
experimental
Interventional
Questionnaires
Final exam score
Descriptive analysis
Analysis of covariance
(ANCOVA) and t-test
TBL improved students' learning
behaviors: collaborative learning, self-
directed learning, and in-class
engagement. Students identified
increased value of teams.
Cheng, Liou, Tsai, &
Chang
2014
Taiwan RN-to-BSN
students-
single
program
Single course
207 Quasi-
experimental
Interventional
Questionnaires
Exam scores
Descriptive analysis
Analysis of covariance
(ANCOVA) and t-test
TBL improved students' learning
behaviors: collaborative learning, self-
directed learning, and in-class
engagement, and teamwork among
learners. Improved academic
performance (exam scores).
Delunas & Rouse
2014
USA 1st and 2nd yr
medical
students
Junior BSN
74 Quasi-
experimental
Questionnaires Descriptive statistics,
paired and independent
t-tests, ANOVA, Tukey
In an interprofessional education
experience, med students had less
positive attitudes towards
interprofessional communication and
collaboration than nursing students; it
persisted over time.
BSN students also became less positive
over time.
Highlighted need for TeamSTEPPS
(AHRQ) in IPE experiences.
Wheeler & McNelis
2014
USA Nursing
students
144 Mixed methods Questionnaires
Interviews/focus
groups
Descriptive statistics
Thematic analysis
Simulation with role-playing facilitated
active learning, collaborative learning,
diverse ways of learning, and high
expectations for learning.
Provided opportunity for problem-
solving, feedback, and time for
reflection.
Four themes emerged: realistic, fun,
thinking outside the box, and being in
the role.
Murphy &
Nimmagadda
2015
USA Students:
Nursing and
social work
majors
88 Quasi-
experimental
Questionnaire
One-open ended
question
Descriptive statistics,
Kolmogorov-Smirnov
test
Content analysis
Following IPE simulations, more positive
attitudes; patient-centered, cultural
competence, compassion, , open-
mindedness, and reflective listening.
Five themes emerged: leadership,
communication, teamwork, attitudes,
and listening skills.
Rosciano,
2015
USA Nursing
students
30 Mixed methods Rubric
Questionnaire
One-open ended
question
Rubric scores,
descriptive statistics
Thematic analysis
Mind mapping or the construction of
concept maps promoted learning.
Students gained clearer understanding
of concept, employed critical thinking,
and encouraged peer collaboration .
Sheppard, Ford,
Sawyer, Foley,
Harada, Brown, &
Ritchie
2015
USA Students:
Medical
professional
171 Descriptive Questionnaire
Focus group
Descriptive statistics
Thematic analysis
Through an interprofessional clinical
experience, students gained a better
understanding of each other's roles and
responsibilities.
Experience highlighted the value of
collaboration among healthcare
professionals.
Stephens & Gunther
2016
USA BSN students
Junior yr
Millennials
70 Quasi-
experimental
Questionnaire
Open-ended
question
Descriptive statistics
Thematic analysis
The use of Twitter to disseminate
information was viewed positively by >
80% millennial students
Viewed as an effective means of
information to delivery
Two themes emerged: positive and
negative aspects of the experience with
Twitter
Yi
2016
Korea Junior nursing
students
195 Quasi-
experimental
Questionnaire Descriptive statistics, t-
tests
Thematic analysis
Team-building activities strengthened
teamwork skills.
Collaboration to effectively achieve
goals.
Improved communication and teamwork
among students.
Del Rossi, Kientz,
Padden,, McGinnis, &
Pawlowska
2017
USA OT, PT and
BSN students
79 Descriptive
Qualitative
Self-evaluation
with 3 open-ended
questions
Reflective writing
assignment
ICAR
(Interprofessional
Collaborator
Assessment Rubric)
Descriptive analysis
Thematic analysis
Interprofessional collaboration in
clinical lab fostered deep learning.
Four themes emerged: experience with
communication, deeper understanding
of developmental milestones, value of
working as a team, increased confidence
and personal comfort.
Developed trusting relationships with
families and healthcare team.
Gained deeper respect for culture,
values, roles and responsibilities, and
experience of members of team
Improved communication and
interprofessional collaboration .
Luctkar-Flude,
Wilson-Keates,
Tyerman, Larocque,
& Brown
2017
Canada 2nd yr BNSc
students
78 Mixed
Methods-
crossover
design
Questionnaires
Multiple-choice
quiz
Descriptive statistics, t-
tests, ANOVA, Tukey
HSD
Students preferred instructor-led
simulation.
4 themes identified: guidance and
communication, more opportunities to
correct errors and avoiding error
reinforcement, more realistic, and more
opportunities for collaborative problem-
solving.
http://www.quertime.com/article/top-20-collaboration-and-management-tools-for-students/