What are your initial reactions to this theory/model? What are barriers to its use? What benefits might be expected for those who overcome the barriers?
PBL begun in the 1950’s in order to restructure medical school education. Right there this tells me that it would be of great benefit for science education. It is now employed in business training. PBL is teaching problem solving skills. Students are given an open-ended problem where the answers could be one of many. Students undertake authentic roles, diagnose situations in the same manner as an expert, perhaps interviewing key players or reviewing available documents. The barriers to this would be time management in creating PBL activities. Another barrier would be the ability of the instructor to efficiently manage each group; making sure they are staying on task. The benefits would definitely be a higher level of thinking from each group. This also teaches student how to efficiently work together in a group, share opinions and reach a decision.
Would you attempt to use this theory/model with the students you are currently teaching or hope to teach in the future? Why or why not? Could elements of the theory/model be modified so that it would work with your current/future students?
I do not think that I would use this model with my current students or the future if I continue to teach the courses that I teach. I teach computer classes. I basically teach my students how to use Microsoft Office (database, spreadsheet, word, and publisher). It is cut and dry what we do. Just like math 1 + 1 will always =2. There is no need to discuss it or try to solve this problem. In spreadsheet for example, if you wanted to input data in a cell you make the cell an active cell an input the data. There is no need for problem solving, discussion or a decision to be reached.
Since we're taking learning theories/models that were not necessarily created with the Web in mind and turning them into Web modules, what Web-based tools or resources could be leveraged to carry out this learning theory/model online?
I am becoming a big fan of Elluminate. Skype would be another good web-based tool to use. Wiki could be used as a place to continue to keep information updated as long as it was monitored and controlled by a member of the group. Another great tool for keeping information is googledoc.
Kerry - could you give the kids your expectations for using one particular Microsoft application and then let them figure out (in small groups) how to complete the tasks you've assigned? I bet they would surprise you!!
ReplyDeleteManagement is a big issue for teachers with PBL. Since the task is much more opened assessment of individual and group progress, and intervention for struggling groups, is much more problematic. Also, K-12 teachers live and breath in the world of specific content standards that are expected to be demonstrated and mastered by students which adds an additional barrier to this approach and assessment of student progress towards mastery of these standards. Since students are primarily guiding their own learning, they may not address these standards though PBL, even through well structured and selected problems. So do you think PBL and responsibility for teaching the NCSCOS are compatible, or are the barriers to great for all but the most creative and dedicated teachers?
ReplyDeleteKristy-I am sure that I could do that and they would be very successful at it. I just don't see that point with what I teach. My goal is the hands on application of software. We do discuss the use of each before we dive into it functionality.
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