1. "Come to the edge of the cliff," he said "We're afraid," they said "Come to the edge of the cliff," he said "We're afraid," they said "Come to the edge of the cliff," he said They came. He pushed. They flew. - Guillaume Appollinaire -

2. Problem Based Learning An alternative approach to traditional instructional design An alternative approach to traditional instructional design

3. At the end of this session, participants should: Be able to define PBL and contrast it to traditional instruction Be able to list benefits of PBL Along with potential difficulties Be able to articulate, explain and apply a method for developing a PBL assignment Have developed a problem-based assignment to teach an important course concept

4. Laying the Foundation for PBL Examining how we teach and how students learn Examining how we teach and how students learn How well do students grasp fundamental concepts? How well do students grasp fundamental concepts? Can we promote deep learning and better retention through alternatives to traditional instruction? Can we promote deep learning and better retention through alternatives to traditional instruction? Film series to provide one perspective Film series to provide one perspective

5. Is there a problem? Film 1b Film 1b Film 1c Film 1c Film 1a Film 1a What do you think is going on? What do you think is going on?

6. Why Can’t She Light that Bulb? Film 2 Film 2 Film 3 Film 3 Film 4 Film 4 Comments? Comments?

7. One Example of PBL Film 5 Film 5 Discussion points: Discussion points: Why is this PBL? Why is this PBL? Need for structure? Need for structure? Student frustration Student frustration

8. My Take Away Points from Clips We have a highly ingrained “Teach by Telling” model We have a highly ingrained “Teach by Telling” model Consider more emphasis on “Teach by Doing” Consider more emphasis on “Teach by Doing” Can still provide guidance and feedback Can still provide guidance and feedback Students often retain misconceptions Students often retain misconceptions Making students confront their misconceptions is an effective strategy Making students confront their misconceptions is an effective strategy

9. Clarifying Concepts: What Exactly Is PBL? "Problem-based learning is an instructional strategy in which students confront contextualized, ill-structured problems and strive to find meaningful solutions.” "Problem-based learning is an instructional strategy in which students confront contextualized, ill-structured problems and strive to find meaningful solutions.” PBL puts the problem first, and uses problems to drive the learning PBL puts the problem first, and uses problems to drive the learning

10. PBL vs. Traditional Instruction Traditional Instruction: Today we will study the flow of electrons in metals. Then we'll move on to….. Traditional Instruction: Today we will study the flow of electrons in metals. Then we'll move on to….. PBL Instruction: Here's a broken toaster. Fix it, or better yet, improve it! PBL Instruction: Here's a broken toaster. Fix it, or better yet, improve it! (or…here’s a light bulb, make it light and explain what is necessary to make it work and why)

11. PBL vs. Traditional Instruction Traditional Instruction: There are 3 types of heat transfer; conduction, convection and radiation... Traditional Instruction: There are 3 types of heat transfer; conduction, convection and radiation... PBL instruction: Design a heating system for this classroom. PBL instruction: Design a heating system for this classroom.

12. How is PBL different from an engineering course with lots of problems? Problems differ from textbook problems Problems differ from textbook problems Realistic (motivating) Realistic (motivating) Ill-defined problem with multiple solutions Ill-defined problem with multiple solutions Integrates technical and societal content Integrates technical and societal content Problem comes first and drives everything that happens in class Problem comes first and drives everything that happens in class

13. You might want to use PBL if you are looking for a method that can …. Have students confront misconceptions Have students confront misconceptions Provide context and motivation for learning Provide context and motivation for learning Foster a deep approach to learning Foster a deep approach to learning Integrate material from across the curriculum Integrate material from across the curriculum Integrate societal and ethical concerns Integrate societal and ethical concerns Motivate CL : real problems require teams Motivate CL : real problems require teams Develop problem solving and team skills Develop problem solving and team skills Promote life-long learning Promote life-long learning

14. PBL and Motivation Is it our jobs to motivate students? Is it our jobs to motivate students?

15. Literature Support for PBL Develops positive student attitudes Develops positive student attitudes Stimulates deep approach to learning Stimulates deep approach to learning Search for meaning Search for meaning Good study habits (library and text usage) Good study habits (library and text usage) Improved class attendance Improved class attendance Better retention of knowledge Better retention of knowledge Improved ability to apply knowledge in new or realistic settings Improved ability to apply knowledge in new or realistic settings

16. Activity: Quick introduction to PBL Think of an important concept for a course you are teaching this fall semester Think of an important concept for a course you are teaching this fall semester Individually (4 minutes ) Individually (4 minutes ) Think of how to teach it using a PBL approach. Think of how to teach it using a PBL approach. In pairs [6 minutes] In pairs [6 minutes] Share ideas and make suggestions Share ideas and make suggestions Choose one example and report to class Choose one example and report to class

17. Pause: Any remaining questions about what PBL is? Any remaining questions about what PBL is? Questions about why you might consider using it? Questions about why you might consider using it?

18. Reality check: Brainstorm … What are some possible disadvantages of using PBL? What are some possible disadvantages of using PBL? What reservations do you have about adopting PBL in your classes? What reservations do you have about adopting PBL in your classes? In teams, take 3 minutes and go…. In teams, take 3 minutes and go….

19. Disadvantages of PBL  PBL requires a different set of skills than traditional instruction. Fear of failure with something new.  Content coverage is a frequently cited concern.  Students might be uncomfortable with the imposed change and resist their new role in the learning process.  We will address how to deal with some of these and other problems in “how” segment

20. Weighing Pros and Cons of PBL Teaching is more than technique and any one instructional approach is just a tool. Teaching is more than technique and any one instructional approach is just a tool. However, there are many reasons to consider PBL as an alternative to the “teach by telling” model. However, there are many reasons to consider PBL as an alternative to the “teach by telling” model. Revisit “You might consider using PBL if…” slide to see if the method might be right for you. Revisit “You might consider using PBL if…” slide to see if the method might be right for you.

21. Overview of Important Concepts WHAT is PBL WHAT is PBL WHY use PBL WHY use PBL Coming Next: Coming Next: Story of 2 PBL implementations Story of 2 PBL implementations HOW might you use PBL in your courses HOW might you use PBL in your courses WHAT IF you use it - what can you expect? WHAT IF you use it - what can you expect? Questions or Comments? Questions or Comments?