Examines problem-based small-group discussions and describes a study conducted in The Netherlands that investigated the thoughts of students, both content-related and non-task related, through a thought sampling method. Highlights include categories of students' thoughts; validity measures; and results of student questionnaires. (LRW)

Problem-based learning is a student-centered pedagogical strategy that poses real-world situations and provides resources, guidance, instruction, and opportunities for reflection. Examines problem-based learning, provides a rationale for its use in the curriculum, identifies problems inherent in designing and implementing problem-based learning,…

Describes a study of medical school students in The Netherlands that tested the assumption of problem-based learning that learning issues, generated by students while discussing a problem, are used as guides for self-directed learning activities. Faculty objectives and student-generated learning issues are compared. (LRW)

Describes a study of first-year medical students that tested the effects of problem-based tutorial group discussion on learning new information from a text. Highlights include effects of small-group instruction on cognition; randomized experimental and control groups; recall; and results that showed the positive effects of problem-based group…

Describes a small-group, problem-based tutorial that was developed at Harvard Medical School. Topics discussed include recruiting and training faculty members for problem-based tutoring; students' ratings of tutors; students' written narratives; a survey of tutors' perspectives; and tutor effectiveness. (LRW)