Problem-Based Learning - PBL

Problem based learning (PBL) encourages students to find solutions to real world problems. PBL is an approach that enables the adult student to activate prior knowledge while also acquiring analytical skills. Students are presented with an ill-structured problem that reflects a real life situation, which is unlikely to have a unique or tidy solution. Students are given guidelines as to how to solve the problem and usually asked to work in groups.

PBL is used in medical education to develop diagnostic skills. From a patient's case history a student is required to determine the patient's condition and research how it might be treated. Such PBL can be adapted and transferred to almost every learning context.

How does it work?

The tutor presents a problem that is meaningful and relevant to the student group. The students then work on determining what facts they know, what additional information is required and how the problem might be solved.

	Present the problem statement - Introduce an "ill-structured" problem or scenario to students. They should not have enough prior knowledge to solve the problem. The problem should be relevant and challenge established knowledge.
	List what is known - Students are required to list what they know about the problem, from the information given and also based on their own prior knowledge.
	Develop a problem statement - Following analysis of the facts presented, students define the problem. This statement may need further refinement, as new information becomes known.
	List what is needed - Next, the students consider what gaps exists in their knowledge. What additional information needs to be known to fully understand the problem? At this point the research potential should become more obvious.
	List possible actions, recommendations, solutions, or hypotheses - It is now time to formulate what actions should be taken.
	Present and support the solution - Students can be requested to present their findings and recommendations. This can be done by way of a presentation in class to the whole group, or as a written project

PBL engages students in learning. They are actively involved in the critical analysis of a problem and following up with the necessary research. Factual knowledge is acquired, research skills are developed and students become self-directed learners. Such skills can then be transferred to other contexts and students are motivated by seeing the relevance and applicability of what they have learned.