Problem Based Learning (PBL)

• What is Problem Based Learning?
• Structure of Problem Based Learning
• Advantages of Problem Based Learning
• Disadvantages of Problem Based Learning
• More on Problem Based Learning - Download the full pdf

WHAT IS PROBLEM BASED LEARNING?

Problem based learning is one of those pedagogic phenomenon that is both a learning activity and an assessment. Problem based learning is a student centred learning strategy in which learners confront contextualised, ill-structured problems similar to real world situations. PBL guides learners to discover the knowledge themselves by confronting the problem and activates their prior knowledge with very little initial content knowledge given; it encourages deep learning as well as learners to be responsible for their own learning. PBL is also renowned for shaping learners in collaborating teamwork and allows the development of critical thinking, content knowledge and problem-solving skills.

STRUCTURE OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING

PBL has many forms according to Atherton, J S (2005). In general, a good PBL project should have the following elements:

1. Problems should be related to real-world.
2. Unlike traditional method of problem solving where learners receive prior content knowledge to apply on well-defined problems, problems in PBL are not usually questions that students can easily answer with prior input of knowledge. They must explore.
3. Problems in PBL are presented to learners deliberately at the beginning of the learning process.
4. Problems should allowed teamwork that is the project is large enough for teamwork, and that each team member will benefit from the collaboration.
5. Teacher becomes a facilitator whose role can be a subject matter expert, resource guide and a task group consultant.
6. A good PBL problem should be given long enough time for learners to participate.
7. PBL is most effective if it is defined across multi-disciplines.

ADVANTAGES OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING

• PBL encourages deep learning by replacing lectures with discussion forums, faculty mentoring, and collaborative research, students become actively engaged in meaningful learning.
• Direct instruction is reduced; students are forced to take responsibilities in their own learning which often increase motivation.
• PBL activates prior knowledge.
• PBL encourages critical thinking.
• PBL learners tend to be more competent in information seeking skills than traditional learners.
• PBL is related to real-life situations, these skills are highly transferable.
• Learning is driven by challenging, open-ended problems.
• Social interaction is a very important skill. PBL promotes group dynamics, peer evaluation, and present opportunities for learners to develop confrontation and persuasive skills.

DISADVANTAGES OF PROBLEM BASED LEARNING

• A good PBL design is very timely to set and timely to engage. It needs careful consideration in the design and monitored throughout the entire PBL process.
• Not all teachers can become good facilitators, they need to be dedicated and trained. However, good facilitators can be very satisfying and self-motivational for teachers.
• PBL requires more contact hours and more contact staff.
• For many course coordinators, they worry that PBL means reduce specific content knowledge, which is true. PBL is probably more suitable on subjects which do not depend too much on prior content knowledge.
• To design a perfect PBL problem with multi disciplines in a curriculum, it requires excessive amount of organisation and requires the course to be validated.
• Assessing students in teamwork is a common issue in group assessments. Recognized individual outputs and teamwork are important. Clear assessment criteria are always important.

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