"Come to the edge of the cliff," he said "We're afraid," they said "Come to the edge of the cliff," he said "We're afraid," they said "Come to the edge of the cliff," he said They came. He pushed. They flew.

- Guillaume Appollinaire -

Problem Based LearningProblem Based Learning

An alternative approach to traditional An alternative approach to traditional instructional designinstructional design

At the end of this session, participants should:

Be able to define PBL and contrast it to traditional instruction

Be able to list benefits of PBL Along with potential difficulties

Be able to articulate, explain and apply a method for developing a PBL assignment

Have developed a problem-based assignment to teach an important course concept

Laying the Foundation for Laying the Foundation for PBLPBL

Examining how we teach and how Examining how we teach and how students learnstudents learn How well do students grasp fundamental How well do students grasp fundamental

concepts?concepts? Can we promote deep learning and Can we promote deep learning and

better retention through alternatives to better retention through alternatives to traditional instruction?traditional instruction?

Film series to provide one perspectiveFilm series to provide one perspective

Is there a problem?Is there a problem?

Film 1bFilm 1b Film 1cFilm 1c Film 1aFilm 1a

What do you think is going on? What do you think is going on?

Why Can’t She Light that Why Can’t She Light that Bulb?Bulb?

Film 2Film 2 Film 3Film 3 Film 4Film 4

Comments? Comments?

One Example of PBLOne Example of PBL

Film 5Film 5

Discussion points:Discussion points: Why is this PBL?Why is this PBL? Need for structure?Need for structure? Student frustrationStudent frustration

My Take Away Points from My Take Away Points from ClipsClips

We have a highly ingrained “Teach We have a highly ingrained “Teach by Telling” modelby Telling” model Consider more emphasis on “Teach by Consider more emphasis on “Teach by

Doing”Doing” Can still provide guidance and feedbackCan still provide guidance and feedback

Students often retain misconceptionsStudents often retain misconceptions Making students confront their Making students confront their

misconceptions is an effective strategymisconceptions is an effective strategy

Clarifying Concepts: Clarifying Concepts: What Exactly Is PBL?What Exactly Is PBL?

"Problem-based learning is an "Problem-based learning is an instructional strategy in which instructional strategy in which students confront contextualized, ill-students confront contextualized, ill-structured problems and strive to structured problems and strive to find meaningful solutions.”find meaningful solutions.”

PBL puts the problemPBL puts the problem first first, and uses , and uses problems to drive the learningproblems to drive the learning

PBL vs. Traditional PBL vs. Traditional InstructionInstruction

Traditional Instruction: Traditional Instruction: Today we will Today we will study the flow of electrons in metals. study the flow of electrons in metals. Then we'll move on to…..Then we'll move on to…..

PBL InstructionPBL Instruction: : Here's a broken toaster. Here's a broken toaster. Fix it, or better yet, improve it!Fix it, or better yet, improve it!

(or…here’s a light bulb, make it light and (or…here’s a light bulb, make it light and explain what is necessary to make it work explain what is necessary to make it work and why) and why)

PBL vs. Traditional PBL vs. Traditional InstructionInstruction

Traditional InstructionTraditional Instruction: : There are There are 3 types of heat transfer; conduction, 3 types of heat transfer; conduction, convection and radiation...convection and radiation...

PBL instructionPBL instruction: Design a heating : Design a heating system for this classroom. system for this classroom.

How is PBL different from an How is PBL different from an engineering course with lots of engineering course with lots of

problems?problems?

Problems differ from textbook Problems differ from textbook problemsproblems Realistic (motivating)Realistic (motivating) Ill-defined problem with multiple Ill-defined problem with multiple

solutionssolutions Integrates technical and societal contentIntegrates technical and societal content

Problem comes first and drives Problem comes first and drives everythingeverything that happens in class that happens in class

You might want to use PBL if You might want to use PBL if you are looking for a method you are looking for a method

that can ….that can …. Have students confront misconceptionsHave students confront misconceptions Provide context and motivation for learningProvide context and motivation for learning Foster a deep approach to learningFoster a deep approach to learning Integrate material from across the curriculumIntegrate material from across the curriculum Integrate societal and ethical concernsIntegrate societal and ethical concerns Motivate CL : real problems require teamsMotivate CL : real problems require teams Develop problem solving and team skillsDevelop problem solving and team skills Promote life-long learningPromote life-long learning

PBL and MotivationPBL and Motivation

Is it our jobs to motivate students? Is it our jobs to motivate students?

Literature Support for PBLLiterature Support for PBL

Develops positive student attitudesDevelops positive student attitudes Stimulates deep approach to learningStimulates deep approach to learning

Search for meaningSearch for meaning Good study habits (library and text usage)Good study habits (library and text usage) Improved class attendanceImproved class attendance Better retention of knowledgeBetter retention of knowledge

Improved ability to apply knowledge in Improved ability to apply knowledge in new or realistic settingsnew or realistic settings

Activity: Quick introduction to Activity: Quick introduction to PBLPBL

Think of an important concept for a course Think of an important concept for a course you are teaching this fall semesteryou are teaching this fall semester

Individually (4 minutesIndividually (4 minutes)) Think of how to teach it using a PBL Think of how to teach it using a PBL

approach. approach. In pairs [6 minutes]In pairs [6 minutes]

Share ideas and make suggestionsShare ideas and make suggestions Choose one example and report to class Choose one example and report to class

Pause: Pause:

Any remaining questions about what Any remaining questions about what PBL is?PBL is?

Questions about why you might Questions about why you might consider using it? consider using it?

Reality check: Reality check: Brainstorm … Brainstorm …

What are some possible What are some possible disadvantages of using PBL? disadvantages of using PBL?

What reservations do you have about What reservations do you have about adopting PBL in your classes?adopting PBL in your classes?

In teams, take 3 minutes and go….In teams, take 3 minutes and go….

Disadvantages of PBLDisadvantages of PBL

PBL requires a different set of skills than traditional PBL requires a different set of skills than traditional instruction. Fear of failure with something new. instruction. Fear of failure with something new.

Content coverage is a frequently cited concern.Content coverage is a frequently cited concern.

Students might be uncomfortable with the imposed Students might be uncomfortable with the imposed

change and resist their new role in the learning process.change and resist their new role in the learning process.

We will address how to deal with some of these and We will address how to deal with some of these and other problems in “how” segmentother problems in “how” segment

Weighing Pros and Cons of Weighing Pros and Cons of PBLPBL

Teaching is more than technique and any Teaching is more than technique and any one instructional approach is just a tool.one instructional approach is just a tool.

However, there are many reasons to However, there are many reasons to consider PBL as an alternative to the consider PBL as an alternative to the “teach by telling” model.“teach by telling” model.

Revisit “You might consider using PBL if…” Revisit “You might consider using PBL if…” slide to see if the method might be right slide to see if the method might be right for you. for you.

Overview of Important Overview of Important Concepts Concepts

WHAT is PBLWHAT is PBL WHY use PBLWHY use PBL Coming Next: Coming Next:

Story of 2 PBL implementationsStory of 2 PBL implementations HOW might you use PBL in your coursesHOW might you use PBL in your courses WHAT IF you use it - what can you WHAT IF you use it - what can you

expect?expect? Questions or Comments? Questions or Comments?