SOME PERSPECTIVES ON PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING Stephen Ressler, P.E., Ph.D.

A Problem  You will need to use a complex multi-featured software package in your work.  You have no previous experience with this software.  Your work will require you to use some, but not all, of the software package’s features.

Which Solution Would You Choose? 1. Receive a lecture and demonstration of the software from an expert. 2. Receive a lecture and demonstration of the software from an expert, with an opportunity to use the software while observing the demonstration. 3. Work through several standard tutorials provided with the software package. 4. Use the software for a relevant task or project, learning basic functions on your own from the user’s manual. 5. Use the software for a relevant task, learning basic functions from the user’s manual and asking questions of an expert when necessary.

Option 1  Advantages:  Learning is based on correct information, provided by the expert.  Demonstration provides a model for you to follow.  Disadvantages:  The expert decides what you need to know.  The learner is not engaged in real time.

Option 2  Advantages:  Learning is based on correct information, provided by the expert.  Learner is engaged and can reinforce learning in real time.  Disadvantages:  The expert decides what you need to know.  Ability to replicate the expert’s demonstration does not necessarily result in “transfer of learning.”

Option 3  Advantages:  Learning is based on correct information, provided by the tutorials.  The learner owns the learning process and is engaged.  Learner might be able to select relevant tutorials.  Disadvantages:  There is no expert available to assist or validate the learning process.  Tutorials might not be relevant to the learner’s individual needs.

Option 4  Advantages:  The learner owns the learning process and is engaged.  The task or project is relevant to the learner’s needs.  Disadvantages:  Learning will take more time.  Learning may be frustrating or even overwhelming, depending on the complexity of the task.  There is no expert available to assist or validate the learning process.  Some of the learning may be incorrect or incomplete.

Option 5  Advantages:  The learner owns the learning process and is engaged.  The task or project is relevant to the learner’s needs.  An expert is available to assist and validate the learning process.  Disadvantages:  Learning will take more time.  Learning may be frustrating. Mitigated by the availability of the expert

Which Solution Would Your Students Choose? 1. Receive a lecture and demonstration of the software from an expert. 2. Receive a lecture and demonstration of the software from an expert, with an opportunity to use the software while observing the demonstration. 3. Work through several standard tutorials provided with the software package. 4. Use the software for a relevant task or project, learning basic functions on your own from the user’s manual. 5. Use the software for a relevant task, learning basic functions from the user’s manual and asking questions of an expert when necessary.

The Essence of PBL  Project focus vs. Content focus  Deductive vs. Inductive  Push vs. Pull

Challenges  Cognitive overload  Learner frustration  Students’ tendency to:  Seek approved solutions  Seek someone else’s solution  Invent theory

Meeting the Challenges  Problem design:  Stimulate the demand for relevant knowledge and skills  Not too easy; not too hard  Just-in-time delivery of content  Systematic monitoring of student progress

A Useful Theoretical Framework: Perry’s Model (Culver and Hackos, 1982)