Problem based learning

Creating opportunities for inquiry,
investigation, research, and resolution

A learning method based on the principle of
using problems as a starting point for the
acquisition and integration of new knowledge.
Students work individually and/or in groups to
solve challenging problems that are authentic,
curriculum-based, and often interdisciplinary

 Understanding is built through what we
experience
 Meaning is created from efforts to answer our
own questions and solve our own problems
 We should appeal to students’ natural instincts
to investigate and create
 Student-centered strategies build critical
thinking and reasoning skills and further their
creativity and independence

 Learning is student centered.
 Learning occurs in small student groups.
 Teachers are facilitators or guides.
 Problems form the organizing focus and
stimulus for learning.
 Problems are a vehicle for the development of
problem-solving skills.
 New information is acquired through self-directed
learning.

 Shifts away from short, isolated teacher
centered lessons
 Integrates real world issues and practices
 Creates long term, interdisciplinary student
centered Lessons
 Teaches students to apply what they have
learned to life-long endeavors

 Students confront a problem.
 In groups, students organize prior knowledge and
attempt to identify the nature of the problem.
 Students pose questions about what they do not
understand.
 Students design a plan to solve the problem and
identify the resources they need.
 Students begin to gather information as they work
to solve the problem.

 Makes learning relevant to the real world.
 Moves learning from a passive activity to an
active activity
 learning becomes the act of discovery
 Increases motivation
 students are more engaged, interested, and
energetic learners as they make a personal
investment in the outcome of their inquiry

• Promotes an interdisciplinary approach to
learning
• Promotes collaborative learning
• Requires advanced cognitive skills, higher
order thinking
• Requires research from multiple sources
• Ideal for heterogeneous classrooms
• Reverses teacher and student roles

Role of Teacher:
As coach:
•Presents problematic
situation
•Engages in process as
co-investigator
•Assesses learning
Role of Student:
As participant:
•Actively grapples with
the complexity of the
situation
•Investigates and resolves
problem from the inside

 Motivation to learn is self-imposed
 Building of new knowledge on existing one (depth)
 Integration and application of knowledge
(problem-solving)
 Wider coverage of the topic (big picture)
 Development of other skills (e.g. inquiry, critical
appraisal, communication, group)
 Life-long learner

Lack of traditional structure and progression
Perceived lack of depth in the knowledge
acquired
Too much time is spent in a tutorial “talking”
It is hard to fail a student
 You need more teachers

Problem based learning

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Problem based learning