Part 2 Features of Online Problem-Based Learning
Problem-based learning (PBL) is getting well accepted in its many forms and has been accompanied by an increase in the number of educational researchers studying its effects. Despite disagreements over which teaching strategies are PBL, numerous studies have examined PBL from a variety of angles, usually to look into one or more of these issues: how well students who have used PBL perform on assessments compared to those who have learned through more traditional methods; the study habits and ways of thinking that PBL encourages; the degree to which students are satisfied with PBL curricula; the degree to which faculty members are satisfied with PBL curricula; and, last but not least, the PBL that is delivered through online or blended learning.
The recognition of problems as powerful catalysts for learning and growth is at the core of PBL. Here are critical features of PBL and why it is valuable in education:
- Real-World Relevance: Problems often mirror real-world challenges, making education more meaningful and applicable. Students can see the direct relevance of what they are learning to situations they might encounter in their personal and professional lives.
- Curiosity and Inquiry: Problems naturally evoke curiosity and encourage students to ask questions. The following process of inquiry fosters a deeper understanding of the subject matter as students actively seek answers and solutions.
- Critical Thinking Development: The complexity of problems requires students to think critically. They must analyze information, evaluate different perspectives, and synthesize knowledge to arrive at well-informed solutions.
- Collaboration and Communication: Problem-solving often involves collaboration. Working on problems in a group setting encourages communication skills, teamwork, and the ability to consider diverse viewpoints.
- Intrinsic Motivation: When students are presented with problems that resonate with their interests and experiences, they are more likely to be intrinsically motivated to solve them. This intrinsic motivation can drive more profound and more sustained learning.
- Skill Transfer: Problem-solving requires applying various skills such as research, analysis, creativity, and communication. The skills developed in solving one type of problem can often be transferred to address other challenges.
- Preparation for the Real World: The ability to tackle and solve problems is valuable in virtually every professional field. PBL prepares students for the complexities and uncertainties they may face in their future careers.
- Lifelong Learning: By emphasizing problem-solving as a critical component of education, students are better equipped with the skills and mindset for lifelong learning. They understand that knowledge is not confined to the classroom but extends into everyday experiences.
- Ownership of Learning: When students are engaged in solving problems, they take ownership of their learning. They become active participants rather than passive recipients of information.
- Reflection and Continuous Improvement: Solving problems often involves reflection. Students reflect on their learning journey, the strategies they used, and how they can improve. This reflective practice contributes to continuous learning and improvement.
- Cultural and Global Awareness: Problems can be designed to incorporate diverse perspectives, promoting cultural awareness and a global mindset among students. This impact is important as it may open students’ eyes to know how PBL may apply to almost every aspect of our daily life activity, like climate change, hunger and poverty, quality education, health problems and severeness, food insecurity, Internet usage necessity, political matter issues, etc.
Example of The Physics Of Sports adopted from Real World Physics Problems
This example was adopted from: The Physics of Sports (Copyright 2009-2024). Real World Physics Problems. https://www.real-world-physics-problems.com/physics-of-sports.html
The physics of sports has broad applications and is useful for boosting performance in a variety of athletic disciplines.
A lot of the time, good athletic performance is based on proper control and coordination of movement. Other times, it helps to have a good understanding of the physics taking place, and then using this knowledge to your advantage.
In this section, I discuss the physics of various sports. My focus is on the most interesting physics taking place in that particular sport. I make an effort to explain those concepts that can be directly applied to the sport itself. For example, knowing the club head speed with which to strike a golf ball isn’t very useful to a golfer. But what is useful is knowing the swing angle to uncock your wrists so that the club head hits the golf ball with the greatest speed possible.
A shift towards problem-centered education acknowledges the transformative power of challenges in shaping students’ curiosity, investigation skills, and critical thinking abilities. It aligns with the idea that education should prepare individuals with knowledge and the adaptive skills needed to navigate an ever-changing world. Problem-based learning is one such approach that embodies these principles and is designed to cultivate a deep and enduring understanding of the subject matter.
