Problem-based learning: ‘one for all and all for one’
Lim, Wai Fun1.
Problem based Learning (PBL) is Learner Driven Learning that engages
students to learn domain knowledge to solve real world problems in groups.
Group work is not an option in PBL but in reflective journals, some students
expressed a lot of frustration at having to work with others as with a student
who lamented that “I didn’t even realize he was one of our group members
until the day of our presentation”. From a PBL practitioners’ point of
view, the researcher views with frustration the situation where a single
uncooperative group member can affect group learning and the success of
the completion of their PBL projects. An informal questionnaire given to 58
students indicate mixed opinions regarding working in groups. All of them
do not deny the benefits of group work over the lecture mode of teaching but
many indicate a preference for working individually. The results indicate a
need for PBL practitioners to monitor group performance during the PBL
learning process outside of class time. Monitoring forms for the 3 stages
of the PBL process: the group meeting at the problem stage (Form#1),
the individual researching stage (Form#2), and finally, the group leader’s
report (Form#3). Reading the forms allowed the researcher, as the PBL
facilitator, to provide feedback, ask questions, reprimand slackers and
praise those working well.
Affiliation:
- Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
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