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Problem Based Learning PDF

Problem based learning (PBL) is a student-centered approach where students work collaboratively to solve real-world problems. In PBL, students are given an ill-structured problem and must determine what they know, what they need to learn, gather information to analyze potential solutions, and develop and defend a solution. PBL assignments can be used as the focus of an entire course or as one assignment to help students articulate issues in a field of study, learn about unsolved problems, and gain problem-solving skills applicable to their future careers.

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Gerald John Paz
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330 views1 page

Problem Based Learning PDF

Problem based learning (PBL) is a student-centered approach where students work collaboratively to solve real-world problems. In PBL, students are given an ill-structured problem and must determine what they know, what they need to learn, gather information to analyze potential solutions, and develop and defend a solution. PBL assignments can be used as the focus of an entire course or as one assignment to help students articulate issues in a field of study, learn about unsolved problems, and gain problem-solving skills applicable to their future careers.

Uploaded by

Gerald John Paz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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April 2009

Look for a new Academic Excellence Centers: East, Metro, West


issue each AEC Approaches to Teaching and Learning
month.

Problem Based Learning


What is it?
Problem based learning (PBL) is a method in which students work collaboratively to solve real-
world problems. A student-centered approach, PBL encourages critical thinking as students inves-
tigate issues, gather material, analyze and evaluate information, and develop solutions to prob-
lems.

What does it look like in practice?


Students are given an ill-structured problem to solve, such as (1) why one neighborhood in a city has more cases of
asthma than others or (2) what impact introducing green technologies would have on a city with an old infrastruc-
ture. Working in groups in the classroom or online, students determine what they know and what they need to learn,
plan a process of gathering information to analyze, develop and evaluate possible solutions, and finally write up and
submit a solution to be defended.

How does such a method fit into my course?


PBL assignments can be the cornerstone of an entire course if the prob-
lem is large enough, or it can be one of many assignments. PBL assign-
ments can be tied to one or more course goals:

To help students articulate the issues associated with a field of study

To help students learn about conflicts and unsolved problems in a


field of study

To help students gain a command of the process of problem-solving


to enhance their ability to apply knowledge in their later employ-
ment

Further Reading:
Study Guides and Strategies:
http://www.studygs.net/pbl.htm
Problem Based Learning at the U of Delaware:
http://www.udel.edu/pbl/
Article: Frank, Katherine (2008). “Problem-Based Learning in the Literature Classroom: Empowering
Students Through Literal and Metaphorical Collaboration.” Journal on Excellence in College
Teaching 19 (1): 5-36.

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