Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Henry Shu-hung CHUNG Department of Electronic Engineering City University of Hong Kong

Related Experiences Have taught for over ten years at CityU Have supervised seven PhDs Currently supervising seven PhDs Applied PBL in a product design course in 2002 Have become L2L facilitator since 2003 Applied PBL in an electronics course in 2004

Let’s start … What is the value of the “Golden Ratio” ? It is “ …”. When did we learn this number ? Why is it important ?

Contents What is Effective Learning ? Motivation for Learning Learning Outcomes Problem-Based Learning Student Feedback Factors Affecting Learning Effectiveness

What is Effective Learning ? How much do you remember what you have learned for your latest examination ? Surface learning perhaps mainly by rote memorization Short Term Memory

What is Effective Learning ? Knowledge stored in our Long Term Memory 1.solving problems in different situations 2.breaking problems down into small parts etc…………….

Motivation for Learning A)Extrinsic motives –To pass a test / examination –To complete an assignment B)Intrinsic motives –To add value to oneself –For the sake of interest

How to set the right motivation ? A)Set Goal –Where are you going ? –Why do you want to get there ? B)Assess Outcomes –Are you making progress ? –How do you know when you are there ?

Learning Outcomes Bloom’s Taxonomy on Learning Outcomes Knowledge Comprehension Application Analysis Synthesis Evaluation

Problem-Based Learning Not only a student group project Setup a mechanism to maximize interactions among –Students –Facilitators –Learning materials (e.g., textbooks) –Experts in the world Facilitators and students are learners

Eight Tasks in PBL Task 1 –Explore the problem –Create hypotheses –Identify issues –Elaborate Task 2 –Try to solve the problem with what you currently know

Eight Tasks in PBL Task 3 –Identify what you do not know Task 4 As a group –Prioritize your learning needs –Set learning goals and objectives –Allocate resources –Identify tasks for each member

Eight Tasks in PBL Task 5 –Individual self-study and preparation Task 6 –Return to the group –Share the new knowledge effectively so that the entire group learns the information

Eight Tasks in PBL Task 7 –Apply knowledge to solve the problem Task 8 –Assess the new knowledge, the problem solution and effectiveness of the process used –Reflect on particular work and that of the group

Implementation Four major steps –Exploring meeting[120 minutes] –Preparing meeting[60 minutes] –Sharing meeting[120 minutes] –Assessing meeting[60 minutes]

Step 1 - Exploring meeting 1.Share weekly schedules and reflective journals 2.Role allocation (chairperson & secretary) 3.Perform PBL Task 1 4.Discuss and finalize the learning contract with the facilitator Sample

Step 2 - Preparing meeting 1.Put together information collected 2.Decide if more information should be collected 3.Prepare for the sharing/teaching meeting Sample

Step 3 - Sharing meeting Preparation for the presentation Perform PBL Task 6 to 8 Sample

Step 4 - Assessing meeting Perform self and small group assessment Put together the final draft report Sample

Overview on the whole course StepsActivity 1 Test students’ background knowledge Understand their expectations Introduce PBL method to the students 2Give feedback on the test to the students 3Perform the case study and the four meetings 4Test and give feedback to the students 5Peer evaluation 6Course evaluation

Purpose of PBL Is it for teaching a subject ? No, it is much more than that. It is for enhancing learning attitude and process skills (e.g. information skills, team skills)

Student Feedback Power Electronics is an interesting topic, and the teaching method is really different from other EE courses, it is totally fresh to me. It offers us a chance to learn independently and prepare for the presentation. It's a good experience Firstly, I would like to say thank you for your teaching and kind help for this subject and I've got a good result in the exam. I think PBL is a good learning method for understanding the subject in depth. It stimulates students’ interest and encourages students to learn by himself/herself. Unfortunately, time is not enough for us to further understanding the matter, it is the main disadvantage of this course or may be it is due to the constraint of the current education system. A good teacher is also important for PBL, I think a good teacher can give a suitable response to student and boost the learning process and you have done a good job. Finally, I would like to express my thanks to your contribution.

Factors Affecting Learning Effectiveness 1.Prior knowledge 2.Skills 3.Timely feedback / expert guidance 4.Self – initiative 5.Motivation / attitude

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Thank you and Discussion