Preservice Teachers’ Team-based Learning, Connectedness, and Gratification Levels in Blended Learning Environments in a State University

The global prominence of blended learning, notably accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led higher education institutions, including universities, to rapidly adopt blended learning models, combining online teaching resources with traditional face-to-face instruction. This study examines team-based learning, connectedness, and gratification levels among Bachelor of Elementary Education trainee teachers at Northern Iloilo State University, Main Campus, during the 2022-2023 academic year amidst blended learning. Through a stratified random technique, 166 participants were selected. Data analysis included frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviations, ANOVA, and independent sample t-tests. Results indicated overall high levels of team-based learning, connectedness, and gratification across various demographic variables, except for a significant difference based on educational stage. The findings underscore the effectiveness of blended learning and the importance of enhancing teaching strategies for trainee teachers to foster collaboration, connectedness, and gratification. Recommendations include curriculum updates and implementing practices to improve pre-service teachers' expertise and gratification in blended learning, ultimately promoting inclusive education and effective teaching strategies in higher education institutions.