Problem-Based
Learning
Let’s talk med. students
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So what’s the solution?
• No silver bullet
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
• McMaster School of Medicine in Canada in 1965
Defining PBL (Project vs. Prob.)
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A Definition
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Learning is student-centered
Learning occurs in small student groups
Problems form the organizing focus and stimulus
New information is acquired through self-directed learning
Barrows, H.S. (1996). Problem-based learning in medicine and beyond: a brief
overview. New directions for teaching and learning (68), 3-12.
Learner-Centered
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• Really about control
• “identifying what they need to know to better understand and
manage the problem on which they are working…”
Barrows, H.S. (1996). Problem-based learning in medicine and beyond: a brief overview.
New directions for teaching and learning (68), 3-12.
Small Groups
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• Groups of 5 to 8-9 students
Barrows, H.S. (1996). Problem-based learning in medicine and beyond: a brief overview.
New directions for teaching and learning (68), 3-12.
Teachers as guides
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• Teach or tutor
• “asks students the kinds of questions that they should be
asking themselves to better understand and manage the
problem”
• Interesting work with non-experts
Barrows, H.S. (1996). Problem-based learning in medicine and beyond: a brief overview.
New directions for teaching and learning (68), 3-12.
Problems as organizers
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• Representative of what students will face; not contrived
• Problem drives whole orientation of course
Self-Directed learning
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Examples
• Sociology
• Biology
• Music
Sociology
• Why are there fewer women in higher education in the state
of Utah? What might be possible solutions?
• White paper for president or legislators. Or journal article.
BUT…
• Curriculum is then organized around exploring theories that
might explain why and how it might be addressed. It is NOT
organized around the development of the whitepaper
Biology
• A toll bridge has been proposed for Utah Lake. What are the
possible environmental hazards?
• Meet with faculty/tutor to regularly discuss ways to break
down the problem and determine areas of study.
• Careful balance between structuring the curriculum and
allowing for self-direction.
Music
• Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring” was considered
controversial when first released. Why? What lead to it?
• Curriculum of Music History course organized around
understanding the events that lead up to it and what
happened after.
• Prepare insert for classical music performance
Benefits of PBL
• Student satisfaction tends to be higher
• Research skills stronger
• “Acquisition of an integrated knowledge base”
Challenges to PBL
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Misconceptions
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• PBL students more likely to include extraneous material in
explanation.
Albanese, M. & Michell, S. (1993). Problem-based learning: A review of literature on its
outcomes and implementation issues. Academic Medicine, 68(1), 52-81.
Student Preference
• Why aren’t you lecturing?
• Students trained and thrived on lectures
• Active role is frustrating
Albanese, M., & Mitchell, S. (1993). Problem-based learning: A Review of Literature
on its outcomes and implementation issues. Academic Medicine, 68(1), 52-81.
Cultural Issues
Time and Efficiency
• 22% longer to cover same material
• Can be a lot of time for faculty both in transition and running a
PBL course
Shahabudin, S. H. (1987). Content Coverage in Problem-Based Learning. Med. Educ.
21:310-313.
Med. students
• More backwards reasoning (unknown to givens); concern
because experts use forward reasoning
• Less decisive
• More likely to choose teaching and research
• More likely to recommend psychotherapy and refer patients
more often
• Maybe
Other general PBL issues
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Infrastructure
Faculty restructuring their time; can be stressful
Attrition
Assessing group work
Gains aren’t as big as hoped
Colliver, J.A. (2000). Effectiveness of problem-based learning curricula: research and
theory. Academic Medicine, 75(3), 259-266.
PBL Prescription
• Symptoms: PowerPoint poisoning, students suffering a
terminal case of boredom, teacher losing the will to live.
• Side effects: extra time, mild to moderate student
discomfort, multiple meetings in one week or day, weight gain
from meeting on the first floor of library
• PBL is not meant for teachers whose self-esteem is tied to the
podium
• If students approach with pitchforks, discontinue use of PBL
immediately.
• Ask a trained professional (including yourself) if
PBL is right for you
Questions?
• Thank you for attending