1. From: Pro VC / To: All HODs All departments must incorporate PBL into their L&T portfolio. We need to consider ways in which we can introduce PBL into our existing courses… What is wrong with our current teaching? Why this sudden change? I don’t see why I need to change… Its just not feasible… Its all very well, but we just don’t have the resources to make such wholesale change at this point in the academic cycle… It could be interesting… I can’t see it working… Has this even been thought through? I am sorry that you see it that way but I think this is a real chance to revitalise and improve our learning and teaching methods… … besides it’s the Pro VCs pet project so we have to respond in some way. I intend to discuss this with you all individually to see where we might usefully implement PBL into our existing modules.

2. PBL is simply not suitable for a laboratory module… It will affect my chances for promotion if the students don’t like it… My subject is much more suited to a lecture-based style… I have only just redeveloped my module. I don’t have time to do it again this year… I’m far too busy writing funding proposals…... excellent for your career … I’ve decided that you will head up the department’s PBL development project… …as a TF it will be excellent for your career. Yes. If I can just figure out what to do… After a series of informal discussions in the department … … and formal focus groups…

3. Eventually she redevelops part of module SCI1001 and trials a PBL activity with one cohort of students. Feedback from the students is mixed but generally positive. Good work. I’m still not sure that I would run PBL in the laboratory though… The students seemed to enjoy it but I wouldn’t want it to disrupt any more teaching time… I’m not convinced. Why change a method that works? Very interesting – the class results seemed ok. Maybe if we had more resources… Most of the feedback was positive, but I think it needs time to bed in … I think we can all agreed that SCI1001 was a success and we should congratulate ourselves on the successful introduction of PBL into our department … … the Pro VC will be pleased.