Problem-based+Learning



But first – What is a problem? And what is problem-solving? A problem  is a situation in which one has a goal but must find a means for reaching it (Chi & Glaser, 1985). Problem-solving  refers to the effort to achieve a goal for which there is no automatic solution. In the language of information–processing, a problem has three components: an initial state, a set of permissible operations, and a goal state. There are two classes of problems: well defined  and ill defined . With well defined problems each component is clear, and you can readily recognize when the problem is solved. A problem is ill-defined if any one, or all, of the three components is not well specified: • The initial state is vague. The problem situation is so complex that we really do not understand it very well. • The operators are not well specified. The various actions that might be taken to modify the initial state are not clear, and many possible actions have not yet been formulated. • The goal state is not clear. Often there is a lack of consensus even among experts about what the appropriate solution is. Problem-based learning (PBL) deals with the latter type, the ill-structured, real-world problems. The process of solving such problems is difficult and complex.





What is problem-based learning? Visual representation of the PBL process: The graphic shown here has been adapted from those found in Stepien, W.J., & Pyke, S.L. (1997). Designing problem-based learning units. Journal for the Education of the Gifted,  20 <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">(4), 380-400; and in units designed as part of Project P-BLiSS, a project funded by the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Program, Shelagh Gallagher, Project Director. The four phases include Engagement – Students become interested in problem situation and begin posing questions that lead to investigation. Investigation – Students explore problem to extend their knowledge & skills. Toward the end of this phase, they frame a problem statement. Resolution – Students make a decision with regard to a solution and decide how best to represent their solution. Debriefing – Students step outside problem to reflect and generalize both content and process.



<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">What is problem-based learning? Though many people use the terms <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-style: italic; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">project- <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">based learning and <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-style: italic; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">problem <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">-based learning interchangeably, a distinction can be made based on whether the focus is on the product or on the process. Typically, with project-based learning the focus is on the outcome, the product. In problem-based learning the focus is on inquiry and the problem-solving process itself rather than on fashioning a product. The difference lies in the <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-style: italic; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">goal <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> of the learning experience. We consider problem-based learning a subset of project-based learning, a particular type of project-based learning with the distinguishing feature of initiating learning with a problem, one that is open-ended, ill-structured, intricate, and then focusing on the complex process of solving it.









<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Why use problem-based learning? It represents authentic learning. Most “real life” problems – as opposed to “classroom” problems – are ill-structured, poorly defined. Solving them is a difficult and complex task. PBL gives students experience and a methodology for engaging in such problems.





<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Why use problem-based learning? <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> Transfer literature suggests that the salient qualities of transferable learning experiences occur in an environment that is characterized by meaningful activity, masterful guidance, and knowledge-building collaboration (Howard, 2002). <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: +mn-ea; msoasciifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msocolorindex: 1; msofontkerning: 12.0pt; msotabcount: 1;"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Meaningful activity __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">. If students perceive a situation as relevant to their lives, they are much more likely to put in the time and effort necessary to develop the rich knowledge base leading to deep understanding, a necessary ingredient for transfer. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: +mn-ea; msoasciifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msocolorindex: 1; msofontkerning: 12.0pt; msotabcount: 1;"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Expert guidance __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">. Master teachers act as cognitive coaches, fostering the type of thinking that is essential for deep understanding and subsequent transfer. Without the guidance of a master teacher, students cannot be counted upon to make generalizations automatically, even in a rich, authentic context. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: +mn-ea; msoasciifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msocolorindex: 1; msofontkerning: 12.0pt; msotabcount: 1;"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Knowledge-building collaboration __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">. As students and teachers work together, they learn from each other and knowledge builds as they synthesize information. This kind of endeavor involves metacognition, or the ability to monitor one’s own thinking, evaluate progress, and adjust next steps accordingly. These skills, too, can be decontextualized and applied to other situations. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">



<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> Why use problem-based learning? It promotes desirable student outcomes. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: +mn-ea; msoasciifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msocolorindex: 1; msofontkerning: 12.0pt; msotabcount: 1;"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Intentional learning __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> (Bereiter & Scardamalia, 1989) refers to the purposeful construction of knowledge. Goal-setting is an important component as the learner establishes a personal agenda for acquiring knowledge and understanding information. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: +mn-ea; msoasciifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msocolorindex: 1; msofontkerning: 12.0pt; msotabcount: 1;"> __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">Relational understanding __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> (Skemp, 1978) may be defined as “knowing both what to do and why.” It stands in contrast to __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">instrumental understanding __<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">, which is described as “rules without reason.” Also see Niedelman (1991). <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt; msofareastfontfamily: +mn-ea; msoasciifontfamily: Arial; msobidifontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; msocolorindex: 1; msofontkerning: 12.0pt; msospacerun: yes;">



<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">How can problem-based learning be assessed? <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">For more about scoring concept maps, see Rye & Rubba (2002). <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">For more about using the SOLO taxonomy for assessment, see Hattie & Purdie (1998).





<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">How do we feel about using PBL in teacher education? <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> It’s different, hard, time-consuming, and wonderful <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">*Note: What <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-style: italic; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">is <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> a “good” problem? <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> One that: <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> is embedded in significant content of the discipline(s) <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> is complex and open-ended <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> involves conceptual reasoning <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> necessitates critical thinking <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> encourages collaborative research <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> provides one or more strong stakeholders <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">

<span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: +mn-ea; language: en-US; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: +mn-cs; mso-color-index: 1; mso-font-kerning: 12.0pt;">