ProblemBased Learning Online Clearinghouse: Introductory Physics Curriculum

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Problem-Based LearningOnline ClearinghouseIntro
ductory Physics Curriculum

• George Watson and Barb Duch
• ghw_at_udel.edu bduch_at_udel.edu
• University of Delaware

Spring 2001 CS-AAPT Meeting Loyola College April
21, 2001
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The principal idea behind PBL is
that the starting point for learning should be a
problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner
wishes to solve.

• (Bould, 198513)

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Compelling Features of PBLfor New Adapters

• Models itself on how students learn.
• With information overload, prepares students to
  be life-long learners.
• More realistic curriculum prepares students for
  world outside the classroom.
• Ensures more up-to-date materials, content.
• Generates enthusiasm among faculty.
• Boud and Feletti, 1998

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What are the Common Featuresof PBL?

• Learning is initiated by a problem.
• Problems are based on complex, real-world
  situations.
• Information needed to solve problem is not
  initially given. Students identify, find, and
  use appropriate resources.
• Students work in permanent groups.
• Learning is active, integrated, cumulative, and
  connected.

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PBL The Process

• Students are presented with a problem. They
  organize ideas and previous knowledge.
• Students pose questions, defining what they know
  and do not know.
• Students assign responsibility for questions,
  discuss resources.
• Students reconvene and explore newly learned
  information, refine questions.

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Characteristics ofGood PBL Problems

• Relate to real-world, motivate students
• Require decision-making or judgements
• Multi-page, multi-stage
• Designed for group-solving
• Initial questions open-ended, encourages
  discussion
• Incorporates course content objectives
• Challenges to higher-order thinking

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Butwhere are the problems?

• Typical end-of-chapter problems can be solved by
  rote memorization, pattern-match, and
  plug-and-chug techniques
• Good problems should require students to make
  assumptions and estimates, develop models, and
  work through the model.
• A source of problems outside the commercial texts
  needs to be developed.

The problem with problems, E. Mazur, Optics and
Photonic News 7, 59 (1996)
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PBL Clearinghouse

• An online database of PBL articles and problems.
• All material is peer-reviewed by PBL
  practitioners for content and pedagogy.
• All problems are supported by learning objectives
  and resources, teaching and assessment notes.
• Holdings are searchable by author, discipline,
  keywords, or full text.
• Fully electronic submission, review, and
  publication cycle.
• Controlled access by free user subscription,
  students excluded.

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A Brief Tour of the Clearinghouse

• Logging in to the Clearinghouse
• Applying to be a user
• Searching and Browsing the holdings
• Examining problem detail and supporting materials
  for a sample problem
• Managing Clearinghouse activities
• Submitting a problem for review

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PBL Clearinghousehttp//www.udel.edu/pblc/
PBL at the University of Delawarehttp//www.udel.
edu/pbl/
Institute for Transforming Undergraduate
Educationhttp//www.udel.edu/itue/