The Problem-based Learning model emphasizes pre-existing knowledge. Overall, most of aspects of this model can be beneficial to students and instructors that can use it at the right time. There are situations were PBL might not fit. Those situations do vary, based on the content area being studied. My initial concerns about PBL came from the type of students that are involved in the groups. This concern poses as a barrier because it can harm the groups overall performance. Other barriers include, learning levels between group and students not being familiar with their roles. These barriers can become non-existent if the instructor chooses the groups and is able to facilitate/guide the groups in the right direction. Students will be able to reap the benefits of learning and enhancing their collaborative skills and have the opportunity to undertake different roles.
This model will be great to use in future courses. Certain topics require more group collaboration than others. The best feature of PBL is that students can gain a better understanding of the content and group collaboration can enhance the students learning experience.
As some of the articles mentioned, sites like Skype and Elluminate will be great tools to help this model be successfully delivered online. Google Docs and Google Chat are also good tools to use. Google chat allows groups to chat for free and integrates Google Docs. Groups can use the internet to obtain information for their groups and share the information via Google Docs; where group members can then edit the information.
Paul, do you think it would help students if teachers began using PBL in elementary school - to some degree? It seems like the middle school and high school students would be more used to the group work aspect and to sharing the background knowledge that they do possess.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought of education like a giant corkscrew, where topics and instructional activities are revisited -- but in different depths depending on the grade level/age of the student. I used to teach in TX where we were an Independent School District (one high school, one middle and two elementary). Teachers from the various schools met regularly to vertically align teaching practices and content. I think because we were so small, it was managable.