In fall of 2019, a new capstone course, wildlife biology, was offered as part of the biology curriculum at the University of Saint Joseph. The course fully embraced problem-based learning (PBL), project-based learning, and service-learning strategies. It provided a service to the campus community through the task of creating a management plan for…

A law professor explains how he came to view legal problem solving as the driving concept in law school curriculum design and draws on personal experience and a survey of students concerning teaching methods in a commercial law course. He outlines six curriculum design principles for teaching legal problem solving. (MSE)

Describes "authentic" problem-based learning (PBL) as a specific teaching method that addresses all the educational objectives possible with PBL: acquisition of a rich body of deeply understood knowledge; development of effective clinical problem-solving skills; and development of an insatiable curiosity and a desire for continuous learning…

The NASA SCI Files is a series of instructional programs consisting of broadcast, print, and online elements emphasizing standards-based instruction, problem-based learning, and science as inquiry. The series seeks to motivate students in grades 3-5 to become critical thinkers and active problem solvers. In this program, the tree house detectives…

Details the process of implementing problem-based learning in the classroom, illustrated by a planning course. Problem-based learning is a promising method that helps students acquire the skills and knowledge to be more effective practitioners by tackling real-world problems. The instructor, as cognitive coach, ensures that students are active,…

Reports on the positive results obtained from the University of Kentucky's newly installed undergraduate performance-based learning (PBL) surgery clerkship. Favorable results include the PBL students' performance surpassing that of students in lecture-based instruction, and PBL students performing significantly better in the clinical applications…

This text, designed for both preservice and inservice educators, promotes critical thinking and problem solving across the curriculum. Chapter 1 presents information from personal observations and national studies to support the conclusion that educators need to spend more time creating environments that foster thoughtfulness. Chapter 2 defines…