This qualitative review aims to describe the current status of problem-based learning (PBL) implementation in mathematics and identify research gaps in the area of investigation. Literature was searched using the ERIC and Google Scholar search engines. The inclusion/exclusion criteria included: articles published in reputable journals in English…

We address the extent to which students developed expert attitudes in the individual disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics during their degree programme. By attitudes we mean the way students think about the sciences compared to discipline experts. We used the standard CLASS survey instrument to compare student attitudes to biology,…

The effectiveness of science problem-based learning (PBL) is highly dependent on individual students' variability. Researchers have shown the need for cognition (NFC) and motivation are significant factors. Despite the acknowledged impact of these constructs, there is a gap in understanding the relationships among NFC, motivation, and learning…

Student engagement is essential for attainment, with one of the biggest challenges being attention span. There is clear evidence that attention has begun to wane in students over the past 50 years. This is thought to be due to external distractions such as mobile phones, but also the method of lecture delivery which could have severe repercussions…

Background/purpose: This study aims to explore the research trends, influential contributors, and thematic developments in PBL within the context of school-level mathematics education over the period 2015-2024. Materials/methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 430 documents indexed in the Scopus database. The analysis employed…

Background/purpose: Islamic Religious Education (IRE) in higher education serves as a foundation for shaping students' spiritual insight, moral reasoning, and critical reflection. However, conventional instructional approaches often lack contextual relevance and fail to engage learners deeply. This study explores the transformative potential of…

Models that illustrate renal fluid dynamics are scarce within the secondary and postsecondary landscape. This work summarizes the efforts to build a rudimentary model renal corpuscle (MRC) that can be employed in a problem-based learning exercise or demonstration to teach basic principles of renal physiology to secondary students or…

Challenge: Health equity is rarely included in traditional biomedical engineering curricula, leaving students unprepared to design inclusive healthcare solutions. Novel Initiative: To address this critical gap, we developed "Health Equity in Engineering Design," the first course at our institution for undergraduate biomedical engineering…

Universities globally are called to educate collaborative and ethical engineers. In response, interdisciplinary problem-based learning is increasingly used to equip students with competencies needed to solve grand societal challenges. However, complex problem-solving in interdisciplinary teams can challenge students' existing beliefs and cause…

Problem based learning (PBL), though recognized as beneficial to student development, faces implementation challenges in engineering education. We conducted a Delphi study with PBL and (aerospace) engineering domain experts to understand challenges around learning outcomes, problem design, facilitation, and assessment. The context for the study…

The geological sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics (geo-STEM) have the capacity to investigate and address geological and environmental challenges. Many of these challenges (e.g., pollution, flooding, and slope failure) unjustly impact lower socio-economic communities in urban and rural settings where there is limited access to…

This paper describes the combination of problem-based learning (PBL) and simulation tools in the chemical engineering unit operation laboratory course, focusing on heat transfer concepts using a shell-and-tube heat exchanger experiment. This approach has significantly enhanced student learning outcomes by bridging theory with practice, fostering a…

The transition from high school to university often amounts to a muddled process, making it both an exciting and challenging time for many undergraduate students. Integrating both academically and socially is key in this respect. Social support from peers and teaching staff, but also from family and friends, can have a decisive impact. A learning…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional approach that challenges students to think critically and work cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real-world problems. These problems serve as cognitive stimulus to arouse students' curiosity and initiate learning of disciplinary subject content matter. Authentic assessment modes play a…

To help young students succeed in problem-based learning (PBL), researchers suggested investigating students' need for cognition (NFC), one's inclination to exert mental effort during learning. How one puts mental effort into a learning task is related to motivation. If motivated, students are more likely to engage in challenging tasks, put in…