Problem-based learning

For MOT students, we have experienced the best and the worst things about PBL. In my opinion, it is a great way to learn, but a lot of people don't realize what is PBL and often they used it in their every day life to solve problems......well, here is what the expert says about PBL.

"The motivation for curricular change to problem-based learning (PBL)

Traditional education practices from kindergarten through medical school produce students who are disenchanted and bored with their education. They are faced with a vast amount of information to memorize much of which seems irrelevant to their future as it exists outside of school. They forget much of what they learned and what is remembered cannot be applied to the problems and tasks they later face. You can probably reflect on courses in university in which you studied hard, got an "A", and later remembered almost nothing from it.

Many students are unable to reason effectively. Following graduation many are unable to assume responsibility for their own education. They also seem poorly equipped to work with others in collaborative team situations. In secondary education these bored, under motivated students demonstrate disruptive behaviour in class and truancy. With the more motivated students, conventional educational approaches lead them to view education in school as a right of passage, an imposed set of hurdles with little relevance to the real world.

These problems with conventional education have been revealed by studies in medical education. What students learn, despite intense efforts on the part of both students and teachers, is largely forgotten (Levine and Forman, 1973) and natural problem solving skills may actually be impaired (Barrows and Bennett, 1972). It also seems apparent that physicians are not capable of continuing their own education after completion of formal training (Sackett and Haynesm 1976).

The Minimal Essentials For Problem-based Learning

Problem-based learning has become a popular term in education and is now often applied to educational methods and innovations that do not resemble what many of us working in the area of problem-based learning research and development would recognise as problem-based learning. It is unfortunate that many teachers have based their opinions of problem-based learning and what it can accomplish on observations of poorly designed or delivered interventions, unaware of the fact that they were not what problem-based learning cannot be fully achieved. This first description will be a generic description of the essentials adaptable to any discipline or curriculum. To show how they can be adapted to a specific curriculum a second description of these essentials for medical education follows.

In reviewing these essentials it is important to keep in mind the major objectives of the method.

The acquisition of an extensive, integrated knowledge base that is readily recalled and applied to the analysis and solution of problems.

The development of effective and efficient:

- problem-solving skills

- self directed learning skills

- team skills

(As sited in www.pbli.org)

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