Problem-Based Learning – Roles, Advantages & Best Practices

Problem-based learning is an effective learning method in which students can learn through real-life experience to develop desirable knowledge and skills. This method originated in medical education in the 1970s and was gradually adopted in other fields. The process allows learners to develop essential skills in modern education and encourages engagement.

What Is Problem-Based Learning (PBL)?

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a student-focused process in which students learn about a specific subject by working in groups to resolve real-world problems. Students have an excellent opportunity to work independently before pairing up with others. It allows them to develop their critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

This approach adapts appropriate cases to stimulate mutual understanding and respect for others and increase the responsibility for self-learning. The process for each project is clearly defined so that students can easily follow.

Why Should We Use Problem-Based Learning?

With the rapid explosion of society, interdisciplinary knowledge requires students to integrate an abundance of information to handle all the issues and unforeseen challenges.

Problem-based learning is designed to raise problems at the beginning as a stimulus for learning. Then, students will attempt to solve it by engaging in research-related findings from various sources and experts in particular areas. The learners will fully understand and return to apply these findings to resolve the problem and acquire needed discipline-specific knowledge. This learning method makes students progressively responsible and increasingly independent in their education path.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Problem-Based Learning

Problem-based learning has been widely used since its introduction in medical school. Mentioned below are the benefits and limitations of this method:

Advantages

When it comes to positive aspects, this teaching approach offers several benefits:

• Motivate lifelong learning: Enhance student-focused learning where students are encouraged to participate actively in their learning approach. It also enhances self-directed study for lifelong learning.
• Better understanding: Emphasize figuring out the real-life solution and comprehending higher levels of learning rather than the facts.
• Provoking transferable skills: The outcome of problem-based learning activities can be transferred to out-of-class scenarios when they encounter a similar matter.
• Reinforces critical thinking: Continuously research and evaluate solutions to facilitate questioning skills. Such skills serve as a framework for higher levels of education.
• Improve teamwork skills: Force students to collaborate in groups, allowing them to present their ideas and defend when needed.

Disadvantages

Despite clear advantages, problem-based learning also presents notable challenges:

• Time-consuming: PBL requires time to analyze and assess related material and sources, leading to difficulties for those with tight schedules, especially when we need discussion and presentation.
• The risk of cognitive overload: This learning method requires students to explore and evaluate a large amount of information. When the learner lacks prior background, this can confuse and make them unable to prioritize keywords effectively.
• Skilled instructor: A competent teacher will allow students to be on the right track. The experienced teacher gives meaningful guidance and helps students achieve the desired outcome.
• Assessing student achievement: Traditional standardized tests may not measure skills and knowledge gained through PBL, such as critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving. Instructors must utilize alternative assessment methods such as peer learning, self-assessment, and practical examinations.

Teacher and Student Responsibilities in Problem-Based Learning

In PBL, both students and teachers have complementary responsibilities that contribute to learning success. Here are the overall roles of facilitators and learners:

Teacher’s role in PBL

In PBL, the teacher is a facilitator, activating students’ behavior to facilitate their learning processes with guidance and appropriate feedback.

• Prepare and raise the problematic situation.
• Monitor student’s processes by questioning, asking, and checking their solutions, helping them overcome the problem at the point of progress.
• Become co-learners and engage in the learning process alongside students. They encourage students to explore new ideas and stimulate knowledge application to find solutions.
• Summarize and review the student’s outcome by assessing the final products and evaluating how well students grasped this problem.

Student’s role in PBL

In the student-focused learning method, students take on dynamic and active roles differing from the traditional learning environment:

• Identify what they need to comprehend.
• Present the questions and aspects of the matter to the group.
• Divide questions into many categories: which questions will be resolved by the whole group and which will be handled by individuals.
• Gather materials, resources, and additional tools to solve the questions.
• Report the findings to the team members.
• Work as a group to discuss and apply the founded information to make a final solution.
• Evaluate and assess the problem-solving process.

Best Practices to Apply Problem-Based Learning in The Classroom

Here are some ideal practices you can implement in the PBL to ensure an effective outcome in the classroom:

• Review the student’s targets to choose the best scenario that aligns with them.
• Choose authentic problems and connect them to real-life situations to ensure students analyze and defend their findings.
• Consider the number of involved students and the length of each project.
• Instruct students step by step through the process and explain the teaching method to increase engagement.
• Prioritize the use of narrative and relevant situations for students to buy in.
• Help students stay on track by discussing and giving constructive feedback when they face challenges.

At ISHCMC, the teaching and learning approach empowers students to actively participate in acquiring knowledge. It equips students with essential knowledge to excel in both the academic path and personal growth.

All learners are guided by the Principles of Learning, creating a dynamic environment where they can ask their questions, build on prior knowledge and hands-on experience, and enable them to make a difference.

Discover ISHCMC’s Learning and Teaching Approaches

Problem-based learning is a student-centered process that equips students with research, teamwork, and critical thinking abilities. Despite being challenging initially when implemented, this teaching and learning approach creates a supportive and collaborative environment for future growth.

At ISHCMC, our MYP program facilitates students’ access to the problem in the entire project with a project-based learning and teaching method. Specifically, MYP projects help develop students’ comprehensive understanding through in-depth investigation, generating appropriate decisions to solve problems.

If you are excited about our learning and teaching method, join ISHCMC to experience a dynamic environment and make a lasting difference.