Most faculty development programs seem to focus on the implementation of innovative teaching methods, and studies attend to questions related to successful introduction of instructional innovations without addressing questions about the maintenance phase. This paper describes findings of a study (conducted at the Faculty of Economics and Business…

This Digest discusses Problem-Based Learning (PBL), a method developed by H.S. Barrows (1986), and originally created to prepare medical students for real-world problems by letting them solve medical problems based on real cases. The Digest contends that PBL can situate language learning in the real world by posing problems like those found in…

In this paper four programs are described in which children learn multidigit number concepts and operations with understanding: (1) the Supporting Ten-Structured Thinking projects, (2) the Conceptually Based Instruction project, (3) Cognitively Guided Instruction projects, and (4) the Problem Centered Mathematics Project. The diversity in these…

Our department has redesigned its electrical and computer engineering programs by adopting a learning methodology based on competence development, problem solving, and the realization of design projects. In this article, we show how this pedagogical approach has been successfully used for learning probabilities and their application to computer…

Some reasons are given for the non-specialist student emerging from a statistics course having acquired a few techniques but no real statistical understanding. A cyclical problem-centered teaching approach is suggested, beginning with problems related to the students' own disciplines. (MN)

Pharmaceutical educators must begin to challenge the entrenched forms of pharmaceutical education and explore alternative teaching methods, including problem-based learning. (MSE)

Community mapping is a tool grounded in a school-to-careers research base that can aid educators' efforts in matching students' transition needs with community assets. Community mapping (geographical or abstract) is a contextualized teaching and learning (CTL) approach that can acquaint teachers with the target community's culture, resources,…

ACHIEVE Mississippi was founded at Mississippi State University to infuse problem-based learning (PBL) and studio-based learning (SBL) into the field of teaching. The secondary education program area infused SBL into secondary majors' Planning and Managing Learning class and Methods of Teaching classes. SBL offered authentic ways for teacher…

This Technical Paper focuses on principles for teaching problem solving. Part 1 addresses the need to teach problem solving. Part 2 defines problem solving skills, and describes: general problem solving models of the 1960s and 1970s, current problem solving models, declarative knowledge, mental models, expert versus novice knowledge, procedural…

A study used conversational analysis to examine the reasoning students use in a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) environment as they formulate a theory (in medical contexts, a diagnosis) which accounts for evidence (medical history and symptoms). A videotaped group interaction was analyzed and transcribed. In the segment of interaction examined, the…

The effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) in preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) was studied. A 10-week PBL experience was implemented to supplement lecture-based instruction in preparing for the MCAT. Over 2 years, 33 students participated. Participants met for 3 hours in small PBL groups directed by a tutor three…

A 3-year follow-up evaluation was conducted of an experimental problem-based learning (PBL) integrated curriculum directed to students of the first 2 years of engineering. The PBL curriculum brought together the contents of physics, mathematics, and computer science courses in a single course in which students worked on real-life problems. In…

This document identifies five types of learning experiences which are relevant to understanding students' understanding of concepts and principles. These include exploring existing concepts, honing and clustering concepts, developing analytical and reasoning skills, developing problem solving skills, and structuring knowledge in memory. Each of…

The case studies in this book consider many of the most important issues perceived and experienced by people who are using or developing problem-based learning (PBL). The book focuses on politics, administration, resources, the roles of teachers, and the effects of PBL on students. The chapters are: (1) "Come and See the Real Thing" (David…

Analyzes the use of problem-based learning as a catalyst for developing and implementing curriculum for gifted students that is both challenging and constructivist in approach. It relates metacognition to problem-based learning and describes inservice programs developed for teachers and administrators at the College of William and Mary (Virginia).…