Problem-Based LearningProblem-Based Learning““The Seven-Step Process”The Seven-Step Process”

(7-Jumps)(7-Jumps)

Prepared byPrepared byProf. M. SalehProf. M. Saleh

PhD (Pharma), Msc. (Ped.), MHPE (Ed.)PhD (Pharma), Msc. (Ped.), MHPE (Ed.)

Step 1: Clarification of TermsStep 1: Clarification of TermsRequired time: 5 minutesRequired time: 5 minutes

Tasks:Tasks: - Read the PBL scenario carefully- Read the PBL scenario carefully - Clarify all the terms that are not - Clarify all the terms that are not

clearclear

Typical questionsTypical questions::““I don’t know what …… means”I don’t know what …… means”““I don’t understand what ….. Could mean in this I don’t understand what ….. Could mean in this

context” context”

Step 1: (cont.)Step 1: (cont.)

Aim of this stage:Aim of this stage: To find a common language, to To find a common language, to

clear up any confusionclear up any confusion

What to avoid at this stage?:What to avoid at this stage?:To look beyond the meaning of To look beyond the meaning of

wordswords

Step 2: Identification of the Step 2: Identification of the problem and its parts:problem and its parts:

Required time: 5- 10 minutesRequired time: 5- 10 minutesTasks:Tasks: - Go through the PBL scenario- Go through the PBL scenario

- Identify the main problem and - Identify the main problem and all its aspectsall its aspects

Typical questions:Typical questions:““What is this about?”What is this about?”““What else do we have to What else do we have to

consider?”consider?”

Aim of this stage:Aim of this stage:- To identify the problem in all its - To identify the problem in all its dimensionsdimensions- Only look at the problem and its - Only look at the problem and its related aspectsrelated aspects

What to avoid at this stage?:What to avoid at this stage?:- To come up with explanations or - To come up with explanations or causescauses

Step 2: (cont.)Step 2: (cont.)

Step 3: Brainstorming-Step 3: Brainstorming-Activation of prior knowledge, Activation of prior knowledge,

proposal of hypotheses proposal of hypotheses Required time: 30- 45 minutesRequired time: 30- 45 minutes

Tasks:Tasks: - Activate and bring in all prior K.- Activate and bring in all prior K.- Explain and interpret to find - Explain and interpret to find

preliminary answers to the problem preliminary answers to the problem

Typical Statements:Typical Statements:““I have read somewhere that…..”I have read somewhere that…..”““I could imagine that….”I could imagine that….”““I think that….”I think that….”““Maybe it could be possible that….”Maybe it could be possible that….”

Try your best to probe the scenario using Try your best to probe the scenario using questions starting by: “questions starting by: “What?”, What?”, “Why?”, “Where?”, “How?” “Why?”, “Where?”, “How?”

Step 3: (cont.)Step 3: (cont.)

Aim of this stage:Aim of this stage:- To map the field of possible - To map the field of possible explanationsexplanations- To develop preliminary hypotheses- To develop preliminary hypotheses

What to avoid at this stage?:What to avoid at this stage?:- To prioritize or discard certain - To prioritize or discard certain

ideas (all contributions are equally ideas (all contributions are equally important in step 3)important in step 3)

Step 3: (cont.)Step 3: (cont.)

Step 4: Review & StructureStep 4: Review & Structure

Required time: 20- 25 minutesRequired time: 20- 25 minutesTasks:Tasks:

- Go through your hypotheses and put the - Go through your hypotheses and put the ones that belong together in one group ones that belong together in one group (testing and sorting)(testing and sorting)

- Find connections between different - Find connections between different hypotheses hypotheses

- Set priorities and define the key - Set priorities and define the key hypotheseshypotheses

Tasks (cont.):Tasks (cont.):- Examine contradictions- Examine contradictions- Add further explanations where - Add further explanations where neededneeded- Discard irrelevant hypotheses- Discard irrelevant hypotheses

Typical Statements:Typical Statements:““This and that go together because …”This and that go together because …”““A and B refer to the same problem…”A and B refer to the same problem…”““We have explained X, but we still need We have explained X, but we still need an explanation for….”an explanation for….”

Step 4: (cont.)Step 4: (cont.)

Aim of this stage:Aim of this stage:- To give structure and priority to your - To give structure and priority to your hypotheseshypotheses

What to avoid at this stage?:What to avoid at this stage?:- To leave the reviewing work to just 1 - To leave the reviewing work to just 1 or 2 studentsor 2 students

Step 4: (cont.)Step 4: (cont.)

Step 5: Definition (& Listing) of Step 5: Definition (& Listing) of the learning issues?the learning issues?

Required time: 20 minutesRequired time: 20 minutes

Tasks:Tasks:- Examine the output from step 4Examine the output from step 4- Rephrase your hypotheses in the Rephrase your hypotheses in the

form of questionsform of questions

Aim of this stage:Aim of this stage:- To define the information neededTo define the information needed

What to avoid at this stage?:What to avoid at this stage?:- Questions that are too general or too - Questions that are too general or too vague vague

Step 5: (cont.)Step 5: (cont.)

Step 6: Self-Directed study (SDL)Step 6: Self-Directed study (SDL)

Required time: As scheduled Required time: As scheduled

Tasks:Tasks:- Each student works individually on - Each student works individually on the questions generated in step 5 and the questions generated in step 5 and is prepared to share his/her findings is prepared to share his/her findings with whole group during step 7 with whole group during step 7

Aim of this stage:Aim of this stage:- To fill the information gap identified in - To fill the information gap identified in step 5step 5

What to avoid at this stage?:What to avoid at this stage?:- To bypass or forget about the agreed - To bypass or forget about the agreed learning issueslearning issues- To rely on the other team members - To rely on the other team members instead of doing one’s own researchinstead of doing one’s own research

Step 6: (cont.)Step 6: (cont.)

Step 7: Reporting, Synthesis, Step 7: Reporting, Synthesis, and Applying acquired K.and Applying acquired K.

Required time: 90-110 minutes:Required time: 90-110 minutes:Tasks:Tasks:

- Students report back to the group and Students report back to the group and exchange the information they have exchange the information they have foundfound

- They refer to their sourcesThey refer to their sources- They verify or correct their solutions, if They verify or correct their solutions, if

necessarynecessary- They apply their solutions to the They apply their solutions to the

original problem and see whether they original problem and see whether they can solve itcan solve it

Aim of this stage:Aim of this stage:- To get an overview of our common K.To get an overview of our common K.

What to avoid at this stage?:What to avoid at this stage?:- To hold back with one’s own findings- To hold back with one’s own findings

Step 7: (cont.)Step 7: (cont.)