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Introduction to Problem based Learning – The AAU Way

Program for to day, The Aalborg model - trying it out, PBL/Project Work + Assessment:

• Problem based learning and/or Project work• Theories behind the Aalborg model: Reflection• Mini project• Lunch• Presentation of mini project• Assessment

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Problem-based learningand/or Project Work

Why use these pedagogical ideas?

To emphasize learning instead of teaching:• Learning is not like pouring water into a glass• Learning is an active process of investigation

and creation based on the learners interest, curiosity and experience and should result in expanded insights, knowledge and skills

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Comparing two models

teamworkselfdirected learningproblembased learninginterdisciplinaryexemplarity

Study groups

working individually

thematic blocks

individual assessment/exam

Project groups

working on a common product

thematic semester ½ year

group assessment/examination

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Aalborg model

• a project each semester (1. year)

• each group has a group room

• group size of 6-8 students first year, 2-3 students the last year

• each group has at least one supervisor

• self selected group and projects within themes and disciplines

• group assessment

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Project Organization

• The group have to choose a task or problem and set up their own objectives for the project

• Every project is a unique and complex task• The students have to be active in the seeking

and learning processes, which may lead to a deeper understanding

• Teamwork

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Problem-oriented – what is that?

• Wondering

• Asking questions

• Draw up contrasts

Learning is about posting questions

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Problem-based awareness

Problem-based:

• Methodical objectives• Based on experience• The student is in

control• Interdisciplinary

Discipline-based:

• Technical objectives• Based on subjects• Teacher is in control

• One discipline at a time

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The four phase model of a Project

Analyse

Design

Implementation

Test

Industriel Project

StudentProjecttoo broad

Student Projecttoo narrow

The idealStudent Project

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Why is analysing important?

LP Wife

Water

What shall I do to get to my wife?

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What is analyse?

Get an overwiev of the problem• Asking Questions• See Perspectives

Divide into subproblems• Top Down• Brain Storm (Bottum Up)

Look critically at all the subproblems• Draw up contrasts• Estimate• Measure• Compare

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How to start analysing – presentation of two tools

• The six W- model

• Post It Brain storm1. Everybody write notes on post it laps for 5 min

2. All laps is placed on the blackboard

3. You read up all the laps

4. All go to the blackboard and together you structure the brain storm

ProblemWhom?

Why? What?

Where?

When?How?

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Reflection – a learning theory

Test

Generalise

Reflect

Experience

The Kolb cycle with words paraphrased by John Cowan (Cowan 1998).

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Reflection – a learning theory

Kolb’s cycle modified by John Cowan (Cowan 1996).

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Reflection in a learning process- a useful model

The Cowan diagram

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Reflection in a learning process- a useful model

• Reflection-on-action mainly looks back on the action contained in past experiences; it attempts to analyse and summarize that past experience, and thereby to extract generalizations which will be of future use.

• Reflection-in-action looks backward to immediately past experiences, and forward to experiences which are imminent. It entails as much anticipative thought and analysis as retrospective review. It is a reflection which should, for example, lead to improved or at least carefully premeditated performance.

• Reflection-for-action establishes priorities for subsequent learning by identifying the needs, aspirations and objectives which will subsequently be kept prominently in the learner’s mind.

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Reflection in a learning process- a useful model

Modified Cowan diagram

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The Danish Concept of Project Work

• problem orientation and interdisciplinary

• open curriculum and experience-based learning

• basic year and gradual specialization

• project work in study groups

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Three Types of Project Work

Looking at the practice of project work in engineering ,education at Aalborg University, there are at least three ways in which problem orientation is integrated into project work.

• For all types of projects, a problem has to be analysed and solved by means of different kinds of methods.

• The phases of the project are common to all described project types

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The assignment project

• Considerable planning and control by the teachers/supervisors.

• The 'problem and the subject' as well as the methods are chosen beforehand.

• The educational objectives are very easily controlled and they are very often formulated as traditional subject-objectives.

• Being a supervisor is easy in that the supervisor knows exactly what is going to be explored in the project and will direct the students' choices in the planned direction.

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The assignment project

Problem Subject

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The subject project

• Subjects chosen beforehand. • The students have a free choice 'either of

problem within the subject' or the problem will be given and the students have a 'free choice among a number of described methods'.

• The educational objectives are formulated mostly as traditional subject-objectives.

• Being a supervisor in this process may be a bit uncertain, because the students are allowed to make some choices on their own. However, the scientific field is described well and hardly any surprises occur .

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The subject project

SubjectProblem

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The problem project

• Based on problems as the starting point• The problem will determine the choice of

disciplines and methods• The educational objectives concern ability to

analyse and obtain methodical skills. • The problem has to be chosen within a frame, but

this frame is mainly described as a broader social technical topic.

• Being a supervisor in this process may be difficult because it is a self-directed process and the teacher may find him/herself at the edge of a capacity .

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The problem project

Problem Subject

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Which project type when?

• First year: assignment and problem project • Second and third years: assignment and subject

project • Fourth and fifth years: mostly problem project The educational aims differ depending on the

semester: • In the first year, some of the aims are to obtain a

general project competence and to achieve a general methodical awareness

• The rest of the engineering education are focused on specific technical and scientific objectives.

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Mini Project

• In a danish brewery there is too much noise emitted in the production hall, due to the bottles. Plan how to find the noise sources and how to find solutions.

• Prepare a short presentation (10 minutes) of your results to be given this afternoon.

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Lunch until 12.45

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Presentation of the mini project

• Each group present the results from their project this morning

• The other groups and the lecturer comments both the presentation and the results

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Assessment - the hidden curriculum

The aim of the study

goals

objectives

Forms of the exams and criteria

Teaching and learning methods: PBL and project work

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Basic assumptions

• Examination is dominating the students learning approach

• Criteria for evaluation are crucial for the learning process

• Personal skills, metalearning etc. need formative evaluation forms

• Evaluation is a basic part for the learning process (reflection)

• Education is forming identity

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Assessment - practice

1. ALL THE MEMBERS IN THE GROUP PRESENT PARTS OF THE PROJECT.MAX 10 MINUTES EACH and TEACHER AND EXTERNALEXAMINATORER GIVE COMMENT TO THE PRESENTATION

2. GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE REPORT

3. INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS

INDIVIDUAL MARKS BASED ON:

1. REPORT2. PRESENTATION3. DISCUSSION4. INDIVIDUAL QUESTION

Peer group

Project group

Supervisor and (external) censor

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Grading System in Denmark

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Points

• Criteria and methods of self and peer assessment has to be integrated in the summative examination

• Evaluation/reflection has to be part of the learning environment - both as structures and at the informal level

• Supervisor has a role to play in facilitating students peer assessment