Problem Based Learning

Problem Based Learning

• Agenda– What is PBL?– What does PBL look like?– What are the Benefits?– How do I create A PBL?– PBL in Sun West

WHAT IS PBL?

What is PBL?

An instructional method which focuses on the investigation and resolution of messy, “real world” problems as a context for students to learn critical thinking and problem solving skills.

What is PBL?

Students work individually and/or in groups to solve challenging problems that are authentic, curriculum-based, and often interdisciplinary”

What is PBL?

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is characterized by:• Meaningful Activity• Situated Learning• Open-ended Tasks• Collaborative Decision-Making and

Problem-Solving• Changed role of the Instructor

What is PBL?

The “flow” of problem-based learning:

Problem Engagement

Inquiry and Investigation

problem definition

Problem Resolution

Problem Debriefing

Stepien & Gallagher

What is PBL?

As distinguished from Project-Based Learning:

What is PBL?

Break it down…

Students assume a role in the problem scenario and are led through a process or cycle in which they:

1. pose questions, “learning issues,” identifying what they need to know in order to address the problem.

What is PBL?

A helpful strategy for planning the problem:Develop an Problem Statement in which you anticipate what students might identify as the root issue. This format is the most common:

How can we [state the central issue]... so that [state the conditions for an acceptable solution]?

*This is to be used as a problem design tool, not something to provide to students. You’ll want students to define the real problem for themselves!

What is PBL?

2) rank the learning issues in terms of importance and decide who will investigate which issue.

3) identify needed resources and where they might be found.

4) gather needed information through individual and group investigation.

What is PBL?

5) reconvene to integrate information.

6) generate and evaluate possible solutions.

7) make needed decisions or take agreed upon actions.

8) communicate results as appropriate for problem resolution.

What is PBL?

9) step out of role to debrief on problem solving experience.

What is PBL?

Cindy E. Hmelo-Silver From Education Psychology Review, Vol 16, No. 3, Sept. 2004

WHAT DOES PBL LOOK LIKE?

What does PBL Look Like?

Zilvinas Dambrauskas

What does PBL Look Like?

What does PBL Look Like?

Zilvinas Dambrauskas

What does PBL Look Like?From any Pacific Rim country, you may choose to research one of the following:

• a famous author

• a well-known artist

• a nationally recognized person

• a style of music/dance

• a holiday or other festival

We want to learn as much as possible about other countries. One way in which we can all learn more is to research and share different aspects of life, culture, and people in other countries.

Prepare a PowerPoint presentation in which you present your findings on a topic of your choice.

TRADITIONAL

What does PBL Look Like?

Based on your reading and the statistics that you have interpreted, you are aware that new Canadians from Asia face a number of challenges, culturally, emotionally, educationally, and economically.

An immigrant family from <<select country>> has moved to Beechy, and two of the children will be attending Beechy School. What can be done to help the members of this family create a successful transition from their native culture to Canadian culture, retaining important native cultural values but at the same time adapting to the demands of life in the Canada and in Beechy in particular?.

PBL

What does PBL Look Like?

Teachers =

Active Coaches

• Diagnosing needs

• Mentoring learning

• Encouraging process

• Questioning thinking

• Modeling inquiry

What does PBL Look Like?

Lecture Role of Teacher:

• As expert:– Directs Thinking– Holds Knowledge– Evaluates Students

Lecture Role of Student:

• As receiver:– Inert– Inactive– Empty

What does PBL Look Like?

Direct Instruction Role of Teacher:

• As conductor:– Orchestrates

learning– Guides rehearsal– Evaluates Students

Direct Instruction Role of Student:

• As follower:– Responsive– Semi-active– Waiting to be led

What does PBL Look Like?

PBL Role of Teacher:

• As coach:– Presents problematic

situation– Models, coaches, and

fades– Engages in process as

co-investigator– Assesses learning

PBL Role of Student:

• As participant:– Actively grapples

with the complexity of the situation

– Investigates and resolves problem from the inside

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

PBL – The Benefits

• Engages students.• Allows students to use a variety of

skills.• Gives students specific skills relating to

curriculum outcomes.• Opportunities to learn and practice

interpersonal skills.• Provides students a chance to practice

acquired skills (skills they will use in their adult life).

Center for Youth Development and Education - Boston

PBL – The Benefits

• Expectations for learning and accomplishments are included and known by students early in the project.

• Gives students time for reflection and critical thinking.

• PBL ends with a presentation or product that demonstrates learning.

Center for Youth Development and Education - Boston

HOW TO CREATE A PBL

How to Create a PBL

1. Identify Learning Objectives

• Identify learning objective(s) for your PBL development; consider both content and process goals.

• Traditionally, how might these learning objectives be addressed? What kind of problem or activity would you assign?

How to Create a PBL

2. Identify Real-World Context

• Name a realistic application of the concept

• Outline a scenario

How to Create a PBL

1. Think of one or more learning objectives in your course

2. Name a realistic application of the concept(s). Outline a scenario.

1. Think of a realistic scenario from the news, a videotape, or popular press article

2. What learning objectives for your course are evident in the scenario?

Two Schemes for Writing Problems

How to Create a PBL

3. Draft the problem

Outline the problem (create a ‘story board’) First consider, “What will be on the first page?”

How to Create a PBL

3. Draft the problem

Suggestions:• Good PBL problem has multi-page, multi-

stage construction – progressive disclosure.• Not all information given in chapter or text -

students look for resources.• Challenge students to come to consensus,

reach conclusions, and make judgments.

How to Create a PBL

3. Draft the problem

Suggestions:• Good PBL problem has multi-page, multi-

stage construction – progressive disclosure.• Not all information given in chapter or text -

students look for resources.• Challenge students to come to consensus,

reach conclusions, and make judgments.

How to Create a PBL

3. Draft the problem – Problem Types

Explanation or Analysis Problems

‘What is going on here?’

Decision or Dilemma Problems

‘What would you do?’ ‘What do you think?’

Task-Oriented Problems

Doing an activity or carrying out a project - for example, interviewing patients or designing a brochure.

How to Create a PBL

Example from Physics: Solving Problems Using Conservation of Momentum

Traditional End of Chapter Problem:

A 1500-kg car traveling east with a speed of 25 m/s collides at an intersection with a 2500-kg van traveling north at a speed of 20 m/s. Find the direction and magnitude of the velocity of the wreckage after the collision, assuming that the vehicles undergo a perfectly inelastic collision (ie, they stick together).

Serway and Faughn. 3rd ed. College Physics, Saunders, 1992

How to Create a PBL

How to Create a PBL

For presentation:• Basic features of course• Objectives for student learning• Synopsis of problem• Scenario for first page, including guiding

questions• What comes next?

How to Create a PBL

How to Create a PBL

How to Create a PBL

How to Create a PBL

Sources and strategies for Writing Problems

• Newspaper articles, news events• Popular press in the discipline• Make up a story – based on content objectives• Adapt a case to a problem• Research papers• Other?

4. Continue to draft the storyline beyond a sketchy scenario

Think about point-of-view, nature of the end-of-stage questions, suitability for ‘audience,’ alignment with problem and course objectives

4. Continue to draft the storyline beyond a sketchy scenario

• Remember: A good PBL problem leaves just the right information out!

• Challenge students to come to consensus, reach conclusions, and make judgments.

SUN WEST BPL CASES

References

Problem Based Learning in Teacher education

https://org.elon.edu/t2project/ppt_docs/pbl.ppt

Problem based Learining - http://www2.waterforduhs.k12.wi.us/staffweb/sereno/mainpages/InfoLit/pbl%20presentation.ppt

Writing Effective PBL Problems Courtesy of Deborah Allen University of Delaware

Problem based Learning

rds.sem-ums.ac.ir/edc/downloads/problem-based-learning.ppt

8 steps of PBL

References

Zilvinas Dambrauskas

usmf.md/uploads/Downloads/.../lituania/Intruduction%20to%20PBL.ppt