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Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 60 (2012) 541 – 545

UKM Teaching and Learning Congress 2011

Model of problem-based learning using systems approach

Samsiah Mata, , Ruhizan Mohd.Yassinb, Noriah Ishakb, Nabishah Mohammadc, &
Santhna Letchumi Pandaragana
a
Department of nursing, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
b
Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
c
Department of Medical Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Abstract

Problem-based learning (PBL) as a teaching learning method has been implemented by the Department of Nursing Universiti
Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) since 1996. The conceptual framework of conducting PBL uses systems approach involving input,
process and output. The systems input of PBL is preparation stage which includes the determination of clear learning outcomes in
the development of generic skills, introducing of PBL as a teaching learning method to students as well as teaching staff, training
of the facilitators, and preparation of PBL package to ensure the success of PBL. The systems Process of PBL is its
implementation involving the integration of medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology and biochemistry, nursing sciences,
social sciences and clinical practice. The process also involves three stages of activities in PBL: i) encountering the problem, ii)
self-directed learning and iii) back to the problem. The activities of each stage will produce the outcomes of the PBL. The
systems output of PBL is the generic skills that students gain after completing the three stages of activities in PBL. The generic
skills include i) application of knowledge, team work and communication skills, ii) professionalism skill iii) leadership skills and
iv) critical thinking and problem solving skills. The study concludes that the systems approach can be applied in conducting PBL
starting with preparation before the PBL sessions known as input, the three stages and activities of PBL is the process and the
generic skills known as output.
© 2011Published
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Keywords: Generic skills; problem based learning; system approach; team work

1. Introduction

The problem-based learning (PBL) has been used as one of the teaching learning methods in the Department of
Nursing, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia since 1996. The process of teaching and learning in PBL is complex to be
complex because it consists of a few stages involving outcome-based activities of students during each stage. The
activities were planned according to the systems approach concept. The concept of system of approach comprises
three aspect: input, process, and output.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +6-603-9145-6251; fax: +6-03-9173-8254

E-mail address: [email protected]

1877-0428 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer reviewed under responsibility of the UKM Teaching and Learning Congress 2011
doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.09.420
542 Samsiah Mat et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 60 (2012) 541 – 545

The input consists of the preparation of various resources such as lecturers as facilitators and students as active
participants and designing of packages and materials to be used, during PBL sessions. The process consists of
activities held throughout the PBL session starting with the introduction of the problem and ending with its solution.
The output reflects the skill that students are capable of achieving at the result of PBL.
Combination of (I)The concept of PBL by Barrows (1980); (II) The three stages of PBL activities by (Wilkerson
& Feletti (1989); and (III) The generic skills that students gained as a result of PBL by (Stepien, Gallagher, &
Workman 1993, Barrows (1986). This integrated model has been used to develop the conceptual Framework for the
study which subsequently is applied in the development of tools to measure the generic skills gained by students as a
result of PBL.
The concept of PBL by Barrows integrates the ‘clinical reasoning’ skills in the curriculum to help students to
apply the knowledge into practice in the clinical setting. Before the implementation of PBL in 1995, the emphasis on
holistic approach in the curriculum was not obvious. The approach of the curriculum at that time was based on organ
or body system and disease process. However, with the introduction of PBL in 1996, the approach became more
student centre involving aspects as a curriculum design, that emphasized such important aspects such contextual and
cognitive learning. PBL in medical and other health professions involves using real life problems as stimulation and
learning frame work for students. Students will respond to the problem given in terms of clinical as well as bio-
clinical aspects. The purpose of giving the problem is to stimulate their thinking to develop and gain knowledge
(Rogal & Snider, 2008).
Barrows (1986) described the concept of PBL as learning through the sweat of students’ effort which in turn
leads to their own understanding and the development of problem solving skills. This approach is based on the real
problem, small group, and self-directed learning. Each group works together under the supervision of a facilitator.

2. Application of the concept of systems approach in problem based learning

2.1 Systems approach

In general, the theory of systems approach consists of input-process-output. According to Ellington from
University of Robert Gordon, a system is related to any collection of interrelated parts to larger whole. The system
consists of component parts, or elements in which they are intimately linked with one another. Therefore, any
change in one or more elements, it may affect the overall performance of the system either beneficially or adversely
Figure 1, shows that there are four distinct elements A, B, C and D and that in the system, these elements are related
to or dependent upon each other as indicated. The interrelationship among elements may be one or two-way, or they
may be capable to breakdown further into other smaller components, which may regarded as sub-systems of the
overall system.

Input to A C Output
Interactions
system into
Between
another
Components or
system
Sub-systems

Figure 1. A typical system (adopted from Ellington, 1993).

 Samsiah Mat et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 60 (2012) 541 – 545 543

The systems approach, in relation to PBL has to undergo few stages. The systems input in the process of teaching
and learning system consists of preparing people facilities and information before PBL. The systems process is the
sessions that involves activities undertaken by students during PBL. Lastly, the systems output in PBL is related to
the skills which are developed by students through this teaching learning method. System approach will be
explained as follows input, process and output (figure 2).

Input Process Output

Preparation of lecturers Students gain knowledge

Process of conducting
Preparation of student PBL as performance in generic
Preparation of facilities teaching/learning skills
Preparation of materials method
(Black Box)
All are resources
Lectures
Students
Facilities Feedback
Materials

Figure 2. The systems approach model in PBL and generic skills

2.2 Systems input

Systems input in PBL is the preparation of material, people and facilities. PBL is one of the teaching learning
methods that focuses on student-centered learning. In PBL, certain preparations have to be made before
implementing it, which includes preparation of teachers, materials and students. The PBL package includes
determination of the learning outcomes and process of conducting PBL sessions. Introduction of PBL as a teaching-
earning method to students has to be done by the lecturers, to ensure the process of PBL is understood by the
students. PBL is not teacher centered, hence, to change the role of teacher from active to passive is difficult to be
accepted by the teachers and students. Therefore, preparing teacher is one of the most important tasks in PBL. All
the teachers in this department have to undergo one week training on how to be a PBL facilitator the focus of the
week training is on the process of facilitation, preparation of the package and simulation of the actual PBL process.
Apart from that the facilities are also important, for example there should be ample space for group work, electronic
and hard copies material, and a good library for students to search for information. Preparation for pre
implementation of PBL is the input in systems approach concept.

2.3 Systems Process in PBL

PBL process which starts from opening session and ending with concluding session will e considered as the
systems process. As a system PBL is clinical focus integrating. The three major sciences: that is, medical, nursing
and behavioural sciences. PBL involves the real world problem where a patient’s real problem is introduced to
students through a trigger. Model of conducting PBL was adapted from Wilkerson & Feletti (1989) whereby the
activities in PBL are divided into three parts: - i) problem encounter, ii) self-directed learning, and iii) back to the
problem. Activities of students during encounteproblem, are; i) during the session, ii) brain storming, iii)
summarizing the problem, iv) listing learning needs and making learning outcomes, and v) dividing the work
distribution of tasks to meet the learning outcomes. In this session, would take 2 to 3 hours for the students to
discuss the issues. The size of one group is usually between 6 to 8 students for one facilitator. There is ample time
for them to understand the trigger through brain storming. The discussion that follows will enabled them to describe
and interpret terms and concepts correctly; assess and analyze problem, determine and make hypotheses, design
systematic inventory; identify learning issues and formulate learning outcomes.
544 Samsiah Mat et al. / Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 60 (2012) 541 – 545

The activity in the second stage is searching for relevant information from various resources through self-directed
learning. In principle, information that students need to search are divided into three important components: issues
related to knowledge, specific issues that particular individual has to search for group members, and issues related to
policies or specific procedures. These activities will help students to achieve their learning outcomes.
Lastly, the third stage, back to the problem, the students will present the information that they had assimulated
during the first stage as well as what they had gathered in the second stage to the group members. During this
activity, they learn how to tolerate peer behaviour and attitude. They are able to give and accept constructive
feedback from others and able to critic on the information given by group members if it is not appropriate or
accurate to the problem. Through this activity, students learn how to solve the problem and make decisions.
PBL uses the format of learning through brainstorming, discussions, presentation, and real world problem.
Besides, the in small group process, students are encouraged to question and observe multiple issues, concept and
principles of the identified problem in detail. In terms of the implementation, PBL requires no less than two
learning sessions.

2.4 Systems output

Application of systems approach in relation to PBL, output or outcomes that students achieved among others are
the generic skills through the process in three stages of the PBL. These generic skills include i) application of
knowledge, ii) team work and communication skills, iii) professionalism and leadership skills, iv) critical thinking
skills and v) problem solving skills (Stepien, et al,1993). Barrows & Tamblyn (1980) characterized that PBL as
learning is the outcome of the work towards understanding or problem solving which was the basis for the
development of generic skills measurement tool. The skills that students gained are as a result of the PBL, which
includes problem solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and self-directed learning (Barrows 1986).
The output for three stages of PBL is giving the chance to students to develop teamwork and leadership skills.
The process in this session gave opportunities to students to ask questions, make notes, discuss issues such as
theories, ethics, and spiritual needs are the knowledge gained through PBL. Besides, the activities such as
discussion, summarizing problems, criticizing hypothesis, and presentation will increase the ability of students in
understanding problems.
At the end of the sessions, students are able to evaluate and give feedback on their performance in getting the
appropriate information, give ideas and opinions on subject, develop teamwork as well as evaluating the group
members.

3. Conclusion

The systems approach can be applied satisfactory in PBL in any setting and situation. In curriculum development,
systems approach can be used during development, instructional design such as teaching learning method in PBL.
For example the system input can be seen as the preparation before PBL, systems process is the way we conduct the
PBL, and systems output is considered as the knowledge, skills and attitude that students gained from PBL.
The Department of Nursing UKMMC was able to accomplish this by conducting a one-week preparation session
for further teachers, to include process of facilitation preparation a PBL package and simulation sessions of PBL
process. The students would be given a complete briefing on the concept of PBL and the PBL process and what was
expected of them. The logistics were planned in tandem with the purpose, the number of groups and member of
students with a group.
Lastly, PBL was designed to help students to acquire critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, and to apply
the knowledge in problem solving. The most important is the ability to inculcate the soft skills, team capabilities,
leadership and professionalism among students without having to perform extra curricular activities. Indeed, then
next most logical step to take to ensure that the system output are achieved is to develop an effective instrument to
measure the needed skills. In the instrument will contribute toward an effective feedback system as required in any
systems approach concept.
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