Problem Based Learning PBL

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Problem Based Learning (PBL)

• The BU BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy programme is
  based completely on a PBL approach.
• PBL is the learning that results from the process
  of working towards the understanding and
  resolution of a problem (Barrows and
  Tamblyn,1980) encouraging small groups of
  students to consider an unfamiliar situations or
  tasks in order to
• Increase knowledge and understanding
• Develop critical reasoning powers
• Develop life long learning skills
• Facilitate team working skills (Barrows 1991)
• It is student led and Biggs (2003) claims that
  PBL reflects the way people learn in real life

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PBL Student Responsibilities

• PBL is a student centered process with distinct
  roles that enable students to
• Learn transferable skills
• Develop their own learning and aid the learning
  of the others in the group
• Develop research skills
• Reflect on their own on others experience,
  opinions and perceptions

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The Tutors role in PBL

• Understand groups processes and dynamics
• Promote an atmosphere of freedom to learn
  Challenge question
• Facilitate development of concepts
• Steer towards agreed objectives and away from
  dead ends
• Encourage reflection and evaluation
• Sadlo, Piper, Agnew (1994)

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PBL Groups
Groups size varies between 10 -14 students
PBL Group 1 OT/PT
PBL Group 2 OT/PT
PBL Group PT
PBL Group OT
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Typical PBL Week
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PBL Trigger Session

• Students are presented with unfamiliar situation,
  
• By exploring the nature of this students share
  prior knowledge and experience.
• Students pose questions which they need to
  explore in order to progress the task.

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PBL White Board
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Fixed Resource Skills Sessions

• Gather information
• Question members of staff
• Problem-solve
• in order to bring a rich source of material to
  present and feedback in the PBL session
• Expert lecturers physiology/psychology/
  dissection
• Expert clinicians or service users

9
PBL Product Session

• Students feedback their individual research to
  the rest of the group
• The group works together to produce a product
  using the research
• Poster or powerpoint presentation
• SMART goals for a patient
• End stage group cirucit
• Patient Leaflet
• Mind-map of psycho-social issues

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Typical PBL Week
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Examples of Virtual Residents

• Life Development Unit
• Young Adult Melanie Jameson
• Midlife Adult Clifford Difford
• Cardiovascular Respiratory Unit
• Amputee Gilbert Hughes

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References

• BARROWS, H., 1986. A taxonomy of problem-based
  learning methods. Medical Education, 20, 481-86.
• BARROWS, H. AND TAMBLYN, R., 1980. Problem-based
  Learning An Approach to Medical Education.
  London Springer.
• BIGGS, J., 2003. Teaching for Quality Learning at
  University. 2nd Ed. Maidenhead Open University
  Press
• SADLO, G. ET AL, 1994. Problem-Based Learning in
  the Development of an Occupational Therapy
  Curriculum, Part 1 The Process of Problem-Based
  Learning. The British Journal of Occupational
  Therapists, 57, (2), 49 54.