What kind of approach is problem based learning

PBL is a student-centered approach to learning that involves groups of students working to solve a real-world problem, quite different from the direct teaching method of a teacher presenting facts and concepts about a specific subject to a classroom of students. Through PBL, students not only strengthen their teamwork, communication, and research skills, but they also sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities essential for life-long learning.

See also: Just-in-Time Teaching. In implementing PBL, the teaching role shifts from that of the more traditional model that follows a linear, sequential pattern where the teacher presents relevant material, informs the class what needs to be done, and provides details and information for students to apply their knowledge to a given problem.

With PBL, the teacher acts as a facilitator; the learning is student-driven with the aim of solving the given problem note: the problem is established at the onset of learning opposed to being presented last in the traditional model. Review of Educational Research, 75 1 , Jonassen, D. All problems are not equal: Implications for problem-based learning.

Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 2 2 , 4. Norman, G. The psychological basis of problem-based learning: A review of the evidence. Academic Medicine, 67 9 , Onyon, C. Problem-based learning: A review of the educational and psychological theory.

The Clinical Teacher, 9 1 , Vincent R. Skip to content. Course Design. November 30, Vincent R. Genareo PhD and Renee Lyons. Post Views: 8, Sign Up for Faculty Focus! First Name. Last Name. Job Title. Sign up here. Considerations for Using Problem-Based Learning Rather than teaching relevant material and subsequently having students apply the knowledge to solve problems, the problem is presented first.

Students generally must: Examine and define the problem. Explore what they already know about underlying issues related to it. Determine what they need to learn and where they can acquire the information and tools necessary to solve the problem. Evaluate possible ways to solve the problem. Solve the problem. Report on their findings. What do you want students to know or be able to do as a result of participating in the assignment? Create the problem. Ideally, this will be a real-world situation that resembles something students may encounter in their future careers or lives.

Cases are often the basis of PBL activities. Establish ground rules at the beginning to prepare students to work effectively in groups. Introduce students to group processes and do some warm up exercises to allow them to practice assessing both their own work and that of their peers.