PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING
Instruction begins with the introduction of a
problem; learning starts with the presentation of a real world problem;
students, provided with instructor’s guidance and resource material, are
encouraged to dive into the problem, construct an individual understanding
and finally find an answer to the problem.
(Dillon and Zhu {Web-Based Instruction,
Khan – editor, p.222})
Definition / Attributes: Problem-based Learning
Problem-based learning thus has several distinct
characteristics that may be identified and used in designing such curriculum.
These are:
-
Reliance on problems to drive the curriculum - the
problems do not test skills; they assist in development of the skills themselves.
-
The problems are truly ill-structured - there is
not meant to be one solution, and as new information is gathered in a reiterative
process, perception of the problem, and thus the solution, changes.
-
Students solve the problems - teachers are coaches
and facilitators.
-
Students are only given guidelines for how to approach
problems - there is no one formula for student approaches to the problem.
-
Authentic, performance-based assessment - is a seamless
part and end of the instruction.
(Adapted from Stepien, W.J. and Gallagher,
S.A. 1993. "Problem-based Learning: As Authentic as it Gets." Educational
Leadership. 50(7) 25-8, and Barrows, H. (1985) Designing a Problem Based
Curriculum for the Pre-Clinical Years.)
How can the World Wide Web support . . . Problem-based
Learning?
-
The teacher would use (in demonstration or have students
go to a particular site) World Wide Web sites to provide the context for
a problem. This might include news clips, pictures, or graphics, such as
a news clip on an airplane losing altitude during a flight – what caused
this to happen?
-
The student might then be tasked to explore possible
solutions to the problem using the World Wide Web as one resource.
Lesson Component Reflection
Questions
(Use these questions to note
ideas on how to use Problem-based Learning for a component of your lesson.)
Learning outcomes: (What
will the students be expected to learn as a result of this lesson?)
Lesson description: (How,
using Problem-based Learning, will the lesson facilitate the learning outcomes?)
Web resources: (What
types of web resources will support the presentation strategy and learning
outcomes?
PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING
Web sites that describe, provide examples
of, and demonstrate how to use the WWW with Problem-based Learning.
Why does Problem-based
Learning enhance learning?
-
Learning is focused on solving a realistic problem
that promotes considering different perspectives and building deeper knowledge
on the subject area.
|
http://cotf.edu/ETE/teacher/tprob/tprob.html
|
| How can I replicate
Problem-based Learning lessons using existing Web resources?
|
These are existing Lesson Plans available on
the WWW:
|
| How can I generate
my own Problem-based Learning lessons using Web resources?
Teacher creates lesson on volcanoes. Students
are presented with the problem: You are hiking around the Kilauea, Hawaii,
the ground begins to tremble and "smoke" starts bellowing out of the volcano,
how much time do you have to get away from the volcano? (or, do you need
to worry?) To enhance this lesson with Web resources:
-
Teacher shows the Kilauea volcano and surrounding
region to set context
-
Students determine a course of action and break into
teams to investigate potential solutions to: Do I need to worry? And How
much time do I have to get away?
-
Student teams search for volcano information (stages
of eruption, signs of danger, factors for evacuation, etc.)
-
Students report back their results and agree on a
solution.
|
These are examples of informational Web sites
that could be used to anchor students in volcanoes:
http://www.expo.edu.ph/pinatubo/page4.html
http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/
|
What are other ideas
of using Web resources for Problem-based Learning?
-
Web-based introduction to PBL strategy for students,
it leads students into environmental contexts and incorporates questions
to prompt exploration of the constructs of the problems
-
Web site exemplifying multiple perspectives of exploring
the universe – informational
-
Web sites for students to use to search for problem
solutions: List of "Ask the expert" resources (all levels)
|
This is an existing Web site that exemplifies
Expository Presentation:
http://www.cotf.edu/ete/modules/msese/problem.html
http://windows.engin.umich.edu/
http://www-hpcc.astro.washington.edu/scied/sciask.html |
[Inquisitory Presentation][Collaborative
Learning][Expository Presentation][Generative
Learning]
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