Working in teams is an important aspect of learning in various educational settings. Although education has embraced instructional strategies that use multiple learners to facilitate learning, the benefits of team-based learning need to be substantiated. There are limited efforts to evaluate the efficacy of learning processes associated with teams. This article provides theoretical background for team-based learning processes that influence team and individual learning. It also discusses the development of shared mental models and the impact on students' performance. Team communication and team coordination mediate the process of developing shared mental models, which in turn affect learning outcomes. The purpose of understanding the role of shared mental models is to improve the efficacy of learning teams. Suggestions are presented on how the research can be applied in the classroom. (Contains 2 figures.)