Do You Have A Problem With That?
I am really excited about the assigned readings for ECI 517 this week! Not only did the articles review another learning theory (Problem Based Learning or PBL), all of the articles specifically addressed how to apply the theory in an online learning environment! The Koschmann project was actually called "Computer Supported Problem Based Learning."
The Problem Based Learning approach has an interesting history, with beginnings in medical training. Allowing medical students to interview patients, participate in group and individual research and to seek solutions proved to be excellent way to educate aspiring medical professionals. From what I see, there are plenty of disciplines that can effectively employ problem based learning in their curriculums.
Hung, Bailey and Jonassen provided a helpful explanation and suggestions to deal with what they term as the "tensions" of PBL. I prefer to call them concerns. Using the PBL approach may cause topics to be covered in much more depth at the sacrifice of a less broad or encompassing curriculum. However, PBL encourages long term knowledge retention and helps make the material covered more relevant to the learner. Using this approach does require a lot of preparation - instructors or facilitators need to predict possible learning paths and direct students to resources that help solve the problem(s). ' Kind of seems like a very intellectual Easter Egg hunt. After every thing I have read, I am destined to try it. I can see it in my future - looking at a lesson plan and asking; have you got a problem with that?
The Problem Based Learning approach has an interesting history, with beginnings in medical training. Allowing medical students to interview patients, participate in group and individual research and to seek solutions proved to be excellent way to educate aspiring medical professionals. From what I see, there are plenty of disciplines that can effectively employ problem based learning in their curriculums.
Hung, Bailey and Jonassen provided a helpful explanation and suggestions to deal with what they term as the "tensions" of PBL. I prefer to call them concerns. Using the PBL approach may cause topics to be covered in much more depth at the sacrifice of a less broad or encompassing curriculum. However, PBL encourages long term knowledge retention and helps make the material covered more relevant to the learner. Using this approach does require a lot of preparation - instructors or facilitators need to predict possible learning paths and direct students to resources that help solve the problem(s). ' Kind of seems like a very intellectual Easter Egg hunt. After every thing I have read, I am destined to try it. I can see it in my future - looking at a lesson plan and asking; have you got a problem with that?
Posted by Cindy at 2/19/2010 6:38 PM 
Categories: ECI 517
Tags: Advanced Multimedia ECI 517 Problem Based Learning
Categories: ECI 517
Tags: Advanced Multimedia ECI 517 Problem Based Learning
I saw a AG middle grades teacher use PBL effectively. She gave students symptoms of an illness (rare). They had to work in groups of 3 to figure out what the illness was. They loved it! They used science, math and social considerations (i.e. cost of care) to solve the problem. I don't know if that example helps. I hope you do find a place for PBL.
Rachel Palmer
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Cindy, I like your Easter egg hunt analogy. That's exactly how fun it could likely be for students. It also seems like a way that EVERY group member could contribute in a unique way. Rachel's comment with the middle grades example was a good one.
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Rachel, Angela,
Thanks for your comments and support!
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PBL makes me first think of House and those fascinating differential diagnosis conversations - I imagine an awesome PBL experience being something like that. Watching kids toss around ideas - maybe with a little less sarcasm and adult humor.
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Matthew! You're right! I love watching House. Not only do they serve up complicated medical puzzles, they stir up morality issues as well.
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