Teaching Methods: Problem Based Learning (PBL)

In Problem-Based learning, "the problem drives the learning." Students are given a problem to solve that requires gathering new knowledge before they can solve it. The problem is posed before the learning in order to motivate learning and enhance long-term retention and application to new material. The links below describe the process for using this approach and provide numerous examples in all disciplines.

What Is Problem-Based Learning? Kenneth Moran (The Sullivan University System).
Links to four articles and web pages that define and describe PBL.
Link: http://library.sullivan.edu/QEC/Problem_Based Learning/What is PBL.htm

Problem-Based Learning Activities. Kenneth Moran (The Sullivan University System).
Links to articles and web pages that present strategies and examples to help an instructor incorporate PBL into the classroom.
Link: http://library.sullivan.edu/QEC/Problem_Based Learning/Using PBL.htm

Leap into Problem-based Learning (University of Adelaide, Au).
This link provides a downloadable 69-page PDF document designed to introduce PBL and guide instructors new to PBL through all the stages of developing, using, and assessing PBL in their courses. This in-depth handbook would also be helpful to the more experienced PBL user.
Link: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd/materia/leap/

PBL Course Portfolios (Stamford University).
Contains detailed information on PBL course portfolio contents, a guide for developing a PBL portfolio, and examples from undergraduate and graduate courses in numerous disciplines.
Link: http://www.samford.edu/ctls/pbl_course_portfolios.html

Problem-Based Learning (University of Delaware).
A comprehensive, award-winning site with links to the PBL Clearinghouse; sample PBL problems, courses, and syllabi; and other PBL sites.
Link: http://www.udel.edu/pbl/

Problem-Based Learning Clearinghouse (University of Delaware).
Free registration to the PBL Clearinghouse gives the user access to a wide range of PBL problems and articles.
Link: https://chico.nss.udel.edu/Pbl/

"Problem-Based Learning," Speaking of Teaching, Stanford University Newsletter on Teaching, Winter 2001, Vol. 11, No. 1.
Describes the features of PBL and the process for using it, including assessment.
Link: http://ctl.stanford.edu/Newsletter/problem_based_learning.pdf

"Problem-based Learning, especially in the context of large classes," Don Woods (McMaster University).
An overview of PBL with examples of using PBL in a chemical engineering program. Links to an online book about PBL.
Link: http://chemeng.mcmaster.ca/pbl/pbl.htm

Problem-Based Learning in the Health Sciences at Queen’s University, Ontario, Canada.
A comprehensive PBL site for instructors in the health professions, including a handbook and links to PBL abstracts on MedLine.
Link: http://meds.queensu.ca/medicine/pbl/pblhome.htm

The Institute for the Advancement of Teaching in Higher Education
(www.iathe.org) provides valuable information about PBL (as well as many other teaching and learning topics). In order to access their material, you need to register for an individual membership to IATHE. A 30-day trial membership can be accessed at www.iathe.org/guest.

IATHE offers two PBL Web cast presentations from 3M Teaching Award Winners:

Alastair Summerlee, Ph.D., (University of Guelph)
Learning and Teaching: a Balancing Act

Yves Maufette, Ph.D. (Université du Québec à Montréal)
PBL in science and its implementation in a biology curriculum

In addition, FacultyDevelopment.ca (www.facdev.ca) on the IATHE site has a mini-informational module on PBL by Donald Woods of McMaster University. Click on "Learning Units" to find this module.