Problem-Based Learning - What is PBL? Chocolate factory example
Real Problems -- Groups Authentic Assessment Grenada Chocolate
Company
Slide 4
Example: Traditional Approach (a) A coil of length 10 cm,
radius 1.5 cm has 1000 windings. What is its inductance? (b)
Calculate the capacitances for two tuned LC circuits, frequencies
160 kHz and 500 kHz using the inductor in part (a). (c) A parallel
plate capacitor has plate area 10 cm 2. What plate separations are
required to obtain the capacitances in part (b)? (d) What is the
Q-value of a circuit with L = 10mH, C = 1 F and R = k . (e) What
resistance placed in series will be required to ensure the two
signals are separated in the tuned circuits of part (b)?
Slide 5
Your task is to investigate if the granularity of sugar can be
checked by determining its dielectric constant using an LCR
circuit. The control of the size of sugar particles is important in
chocolate manufacture. The Granada Chocolate Company is a small
company in the Caribbean which might benefit from semi-automating
the grinding process. To do this is it would be necessary to check
the granularity of the sugar being introduced to the mix. It has
been suggested by your research department that a simple way to
check the granule size is to measure the bulk dielectric constant
of the granulated sugar. PBL Approach Real Problems -- Groups
Authentic Assessment
Slide 6
Integrated Physics: from standard laboratories to Group
Research Projects UltraKleene White Knuckle Ride Otherton Airport
Chocolate factory Insurance scam? Telescopes NanoAerosols Planetary
Cratering Air quality Spacecraft Imaging Water in the desert
Traffic Lights Stellar types Remote Stereovision Imaging Craters
Spectroscopy Nanoparticles Speed of Sound Space Environment
Elastomers Time travel Searching for Black Holes Lasers Clusters of
Galaxies Magnetospheres Robotics Scanning Probe Microscopy
SemiConductor Nanostructures Shortwave radio Mars Sample
Return
Slide 7
Staff Engagement Development (Essential CETL) Summer
development programme (graduates) Implementation The best thing I
do Youve changed my life Better than baby-sitting a lab class
Slide 8
A good way into lab work working from a practical base Closer
to real life especially in the practical field It was stressful . I
was never clear what we were supposed to be doing or how much was
enough More satisfying, more fun, more hands-on Its a modern way of
teaching Physics, applying what you have learned, and relevant to
future research Student Engagement External Impact: Gradual
interest in PBL in Physics e.g. Liverpool, Bath, Salford,
Birmingham
Slide 9
I-Science A new model for Science UG teaching (Essential CETL)
Entirely PBL Interdisciplinary Problem (5 week module) ~ 4 hours
per week Facilitator Contact ~ 2 lectures per week ~8 hours labs
per week ~2 Maths classes per week ~Weekly Computing class Weekly
individual worksheets Group deliverable Impact - close to zero in
UK - 6 Canadian Universities
09:0010:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:00 Monday Support Session :
Skills Facilitation Session Tuesday Support Session : Maths Expert
Session Facilitation Session Wednesday Laboratory Session
Extracurricular Activities Thursday Support Session : Maths Expert
Session Facilitation Session Friday Laboratory Session Electives
Facilitation Session Entirely Paperless
Slide 10
PBL for 1 (Distance Learning) How to revise subject knowledge
for mature returners to PGCE? Advantages of PBL: focus; repetition;
basic material from a new stance Impact: ~ 40 student physics
teachers per year ~ live in hope!
Slide 11
CETL PBL Environment First Year Groupwork Room Open Groupwork
Room Flexible IT Environment IT Teaching & Conferencing Media
Suite Projects Laboratory Physics Laboratory
Slide 12
Learning Communities Joint modules (e.g. Sustainability)
promotes interaction amongst students (Iscience, Physics,
Chemistry...) and amongst staff (ESD module: Education, Bioscience,
Physics, Student Support) Learning spaces promote interaction
between groups; within groups; with staff Impact: growing - I
hope!
