Comparing Problem-based Learning with Traditional Instruction:
Focus on High School Economics
Kyunghwan Mo & Yuri Choi
Seoul National University
Theory and Research in Citizenship Education, 35(1), 89-113.
Published by the Association of Social Education in Korea (ISSN: 1598-7280).
SUMMARY:
Professors of Social Studies Education at Seoul National University, Korea, translated President's Dilemma
from BIE's Problem Based Economics curriculum into Korean and introduced it to in-service teachers as part of
a Curriculum & Instruction course. This study investigates the effect of Problem-based Learning, compared
with traditional instruction, on the students in six classes taught by a single teacher in a private Korean high
school.
Students in six classes were pretested on general economic knowledge, unit-specific content knowledge, and
attitude toward economics. Then the classes were randomly assigned to receive one of two different
instructional strategies: PBL and the traditional instruction used by this experienced teacher. Finally, learners
took post-tests that measured the degree of improvement in their attainment of general/unit-specific economic
knowledge and their attitude toward economics. The study used statistical methods and non-structured
interviews.
The results are as follows:
1) In attainment of economic knowledge and attitude for economics a significant different exists between the
PBL and the non-PBL group. This result shows that Problem-based learning is more effective than traditional
instruction methods in terms of acquiring knowledge and motivation.
2) Problem-based Learning is more effective in terms of learning knowledge for risk-takers than for riskavoiders.
3) Risk-takers, regardless of instructional methods, came to have more positive attitudes toward economics than
risk-avoiders, after being exposed to the treatments.
This is a book chapter written in Korean. We will try to provide an English translation in the future.
For additional information, please contact:
Kyunghwan Mo khmo@snu.ac.kr
San 56-1 Shillim-Dong, Kwanak-Gu, Seoul 151-748, Korea
TEL: 82-2-880-7701
or
Jason Ravitz Jason@bie.org
18 Commercial Blvd.
Novato, CA 94949 U.S.A.
TEL: 415-883-0122 x 310
http://www.bie.org