ProblemBased Learning: Getting Started, Part I

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Problem-Based Learning Getting Started, Part I
Susan Groh and Hal White Department of Chemistry
Biochemistry
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Discussion Describe Your Course

• What is the purpose of your course?
• What ideas and concepts do you cover?
• How do you expect students to be different as a
  result of taking your course?
• What about the course would you like to change?
  Why?

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Planning Step 1

• Decide on Course Goals
• What do you want your students to know/be able to
  do when they leave your course?

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Planning Step 2

• Establish Learning Objectives
• List of specific desirable outcomes and
  expectations
• Hierarchical focus
• Overall objectives for course
• Objectives for specific unit/topic
• Tie in to assessment

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Types of Learning Objectives

• Content-oriented subject-specific
• Understanding, application of specific concepts
• Correlation, integration of concepts
• Process-oriented global skills
• Effective communication verbal and written
• Acquiring and evaluating information
• Working effectively with others
• Higher-order, critical thinking

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Sample Learning Objectives

• CNST 114 (10) Clothing in Contemporary Society
  Jane Lamb
• Examine how psychological, social, economic, and
  technological forces influence today's fashions
• Explain the role of different businesses in
  developing, producing, and distributing apparel
  products
• Depict how an apparel product moves from concept
  to design to production to distribution to
  consumer
• Judge value and quality of apparel products
• Develop skills for professional success
  (analytical thinking, communication,
  decision-making,teamwork).

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Sample Learning Objectives

• BISC 301 MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL Flo
  Schmieg (partial list)
• will have learned to retrieve and share
  information with others
• be able to draw conclusions from scientific data.
  
• be able to construct a laboratory report in
  manuscript format.
• be able to evaluate scientific claims using
  substantiated criteria.

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Sample Learning Objectives

• CRJU202-010 PROBLEMS OF THE CRIMINAL JUDICIARY
  Valerie Hans (partial list)
• understand how contemporary US courts contrast
  with courts historically and comparatively
• learn how to analyze and critically evaluate
  claims made in public policy debates about the
  courts
• find and use Web and library resources
• being able to work with others as members of a
  task group

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Writing Learning Objectives

• Identify at least three learning objectives
  for your PBL course consider both content and
  process goals.