Experience It Yourself: Introduction to Problem-Based Learning

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Experience It YourselfIntroduction to
Problem-Based Learning
George H. Watson, University of
Delawareghw_at_udel.edu
www.udel.edu/sigma-xi/ethics-pbl/workshop/2005/
Thomas Jefferson University July 18, 2005
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What is Problem-Based Learning?
PBL is a learning approach that challenges
students to learn to learn, working
cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to
real world problems.

• PBL prepares students
• to think critically and analytically, and
• to find and use appropriate learning resources.

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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.
• Boud (1985)

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Home groups

1. Please form groups of three or four participants.
2. Each group should have diverse representation of
   students and faculty members (by discipline) to
   the extent possible.
3. As a home group, we will work through the
   activities on the next few slides

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Deflating Grady Part 1

• Read over the e-mail exchange and discuss the
  ideas it raises about grade inflation
• As a group, compose a definition of grade
  inflation and be prepared to present it.
• Be prepared to report out in 10 minutes

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Deflating Grady Part II

• Read over the information presented, and be
  prepared to report out on your answers to
  questions 1 or 2
• Be prepared to report out in 10 minutes

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Deflating Grady Part III

• Take a look at the graph from gradeinflation.com
• According to your groups definition, is this
  evidence for grade inflation?

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Deflating Grady Part IV

• Identifying stake holders

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Strategies Used to Teach This Problem

1. Mini lecture to introduce problem
2. Instructor provided input at regular intervals
3. Mechanism for groups to compare notes
4. Instructor circulated amongst the groups
5. Instructor provided some resources
6. Problem constructed to allow for 1-5
7. Problem constructed to provide learner prompts
   for PBL novices