PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL)

PROBLEM BASED LEARNING (PBL)

Problem Based Learning is a modern learning strategy, by which the learning materials are presented through problematic situations and the learners are motivated and helped to acquire and internalise related knowledge. It helps the students to deal with meaningful problematic situations that promote curiosity and the spirit of inquiry among learners.

The highlight of problem based learning is to develop the spirit of investigation, as a result the learner in turn to inquiry. 

The role of a teacher in PBL is to pose problems, to ask reflective questions and to facilitate investigation. The PBL originated from  Inquiry Teaching and Guided Discovery learning.

The purpose of PBL is to help the students master the subject matter through problem solving.

Characteristics of Problem Based Learning

1. PBL assist in the development of numerous skills among themselves.

2. PBL focuses not only on finding solutions to specific problems but also to gain additional information.

3. In PBL the whole responsibility of the solution of problems are the hands of students and the teacher acts as the facilitator, motivator and guide.

4. The teacher may present different approaches to solve the problem being investigated, but each student is permitted to adopt the strategy that best fits in with his competencies and ways of thinking.

5. Authentic and performance based assessment at the end of instruction is compulsory in PBL.

Stages of Problem Based Learning

There are three distinct phases in a PBL

Stage 1.

Encountering and defining the problem:

At first the teacher presents problems with different nature. For the purpose of inquiry, the teacher should encourage each student to define and explore the problem by collecting information from different sources.

At this stage the learner may be prompted to ask questions related to the problem.

For eg. In social science class 'climate change and environment' is the topic.

So the self asking questions are:

What are the aspects I already know about this problem?

How can I address this problem as a statement?

From which sources I gather the additional data and information to reach the solutions of the problem?

Stage 2.

Accessing, evaluating and utilising information:

After defining the problem then exploring the conditions and reasons leading to the problem. Then start forming hypotheses to its solutions. For that the investigator needed vast and detailed data to reach the solution. So the learner goes through different sources.

Stage 3.

 Synthesis and Performance:

In this stage, students construct a solution to the problem. The analysis of various aspects related to the data will help them to arrive at a solution to the problem. This can be precisely stated by synthesising all the findings that emerged from the exploration using the available data as well as the data gathered. This solution can be presented in the printed form or electronic presentation.

Significance

1. PBL is the process involved in solving a complex problematic situation that warrants more effort and time.

2. Greater possibility of practical experience.

3. Having wide scope.

4. Significance to the process.