3. What is Problem-Based
Learning?
• An instructional method which focuses on
the investigation and resolution of messy,
“real world” problems as a context for
students to learn critical thinking and
problem solving skills
• “Students work individually and/or in
groups to solve challenging problems that
are authentic, curriculum-based, and often
interdisciplinary”
4. Benefits of PBL
• Makes learning relevant to the real world
(and answers the dreaded question…)
• Moves learning from a passive activity to
an active activity -- learning becomes the
act of discovery
• Increases motivation -- students are more
engaged, interested, and energetic learners
as they make a personal investment in the
outcome of their inquiry
5. Present the Problem
• Figure out how
students will meet the
problem
• Hook the students
through the problem
format
• Give students a role in
the problem
• Allow students to
define the real
problem for
themselves
6. Generate Solutions
• Learners begin to
recommend solutions
based on the information
they have gathered
• Students’ goal is to
develop best solution
according to problem
conditions
• Responsible thinkers are
able to justify solution(s)
with supportive evidence
7. 6. Performance Assessment
• Goal is for teacher to assess LEARNING
• Ongoing assessments throughout process are ideal
-good for assessing both individual and group
accountability
• Teachers embed instruction to help students explore
important information related to the problem
• Teacher typically assesses culminating performance
via a rubric -- on content, presentation skills,
teamwork, and fit of solution.
9. Disadvantage
• When student do not have the interest or do
not have confidence that the problem is
difficult to be learned at the break, then they
will fell reluctant to try it