Problem based learning is a teaching methodology that utilizes patient scenarios to facilitate student learning that may improve clinical reasoning. While problem based learning has been adopted in many medical schools, the transition to other health profession schools, including physical therapy schools, has been slow and often criticized. The…

When instructing very large groups of students in science, it can be difficult to engage all students in the content and measure their understanding. A major unaddressed challenge in science instruction is how specifically to design and implement strategies that engender active learning particularly in high-enrollment undergraduate courses. Active…

This dissertation presents the results and outcomes of an effort to design educational tools and curriculum to improve student learning in introductory programming courses. The work was conducted at the University of California, Merced (UC Merced), situated in the Central Valley of California, and home to a diverse student population. The findings…

Education has begun to look beyond the traditional methods of didactic teaching, lectures, and clinical based instruction within their program curricula to address the gap between theoretical and real-life situations (Walker, Langton & Thomson, 2011). Problem Based Learning (PBL) has been seen as an alternative method of instruction that is…

The overarching theme of this research was to explore different aspects of the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education experience across cultures and contexts in two engineering education communities, higher education and K-12. This dissertation offers new perspectives and resources to the engineering education community and…

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a method of instruction that challenges students to answer questions in a practical manner using their understanding of learned course content. The question at the heart of this study concerns if and how faculty in one institution are currently using PBL. I used an exploratory descriptive case study to research the…

The increasing complexity of global challenges demands a STEM-enriched approach to learning for all students, regardless of their future career paths. Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) is a pedagogical method to foster a STEM-enriched education, engaging students in the design of societally impactful, interdisciplinary solutions. To investigate the…

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an effective instructional methodology used in higher learning. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore what undergraduate engineering students perceive as barriers to the implementation of PBL in engineering courses at higher learning institutions in the Southwest United States. This…

This research study analyzed the faculty perceptions of Problem Based Learning (PBL) at one state university campus. There has been an upsurge in student-centered pedagogies as empirical research has demonstrated the benefits of deeper learning, collaboration, and life skills. Empirical studies, in education identify PBL taught students as…

This mixed-methods study examined the moderating role of resilience in the relationship between personal, social, and academic factors and academic success, as measured by grade point average (GPA) among Doctor of Physical Therapy students. It aimed to identify the strongest predictor of GPA among self-efficacy, friends and family support, and the…

Demand is high for graduates entering the professional aviation and aerospace workforce with resilience competencies like adversity persistence, contextual awareness, being self-directed and autonomous, handling change, and ability to establish peer relationships. Research shows resilience competencies are particularly emphasized as essential…

Adult learners are returning to school to acquire and enhance workplace essential skills needed to meet changing job market expectations. Adequately preparing adult learners for the workforce necessitates understanding their views and experiences. The problem explored in this study was the lack of research regarding business school stakeholders'…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of the nine-step problem design process (Hung, 2009) to design a problem based learning course. I applied a descriptive case study approach to conduct design and development research (Richey & Klein, 2007). The study was conducted in the Malaysian teacher education setting. In this study, I…

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to determine if, and to what extent, technology-enhanced problem-based formative assessment instruction would have an impact on college students' algebra learning and development of critical thinking skills, when compared to traditional classroom instruction in a first-year college…

The purpose of this action research was to evaluate the effect educational robotics have on the programming comprehension and motivation of preservice teachers. Computer science is increasingly being integrated into K-8 curricula across the country. However, there are few teachers trained to teach basic computer science concepts. Core subject…