University of Delaware

Problem-Based Learning Partnered with

Emerging Technology:

Putting Students at the Center of their Learning

Institute for TransformingUndergraduate Education

Mark ServaGeorge Watson

University ofDelaware

Dela where?

The Way It Was... 1973

2008

Computation and Calculation

scientific calculators,graphing calculators,

laptops and notebooks,PDAs

tablet PCs,gigabytes and gigahertz,ubiquitous computing

The Way It Was... 1973

2008

Communication and Collaboration

e-mail,voice-mail,chatrooms,cell phones,

text messaging,instant messaging,

blogging,wireless connectivity

The Way It Was... 1973

2008

Collections and Connections

Online Information:web catalogs,

networked databases,Britannica Online, online newspapers,

course websites,CMS and LMS,

podcasting,wikis

Teachers (Digital Immigrants) may assume that students (Digital Natives) are the same as they were - that the same methods that worked for them when they were students will work for their students now.

But that assumption is no longer valid.

Our changing environment

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants, by Marc Prensky

Given the amazing advances in technology

and the dramatic change in the environment of our students,

Can we afford to continue teaching the way we were taught?

An important question:

First, a quick exercise:

1. Individually, write down several words or short phrases that come to mind when you think of:

Student-Centered Learning2. In pairs or small groups, select three

“most important”.

3. Finally, report out just one.

…the individuals learning the most in the typical classrooms are the teachers there. They have reserved for themselves the very conditions that promote learning:

What I know best I have taught…

Page 35, Huba and Freed, Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning, 2000

actively seeking new information,integrating it with what is known,organizing it in a meaningful way, andexplaining it to others.

“The principal idea behind PBL is that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”Boud, D. (1985) PBL in perspective. In “PBL in Education

for the Professions,” D. J. Boud (ed); p. 13.

What Is PBL?

PBL is a learning approach thatchallenges students to “learn to learn,”working cooperatively in groups,to seek solutions to real world problems.

What Is PBL?

PBL prepares studentsto think critically and analytically,to find and use appropriate learning

resources,to communicate effectively, orally and in

writing,to work well as members of a team.

What Is PBL?

What are the CommonFeatures of PBL?

Learning is initiated by a problem.Problems are based on complex, real-world

situations.All information needed to solve problem is not

given initially.Students identify, find, and use appropriate

resources.Students work in permanent groups.Learning is active, integrated, cumulative, and

connected.

A Typical Day in a PBL Course

Presentation of Problem

Organize ideas and prior knowledge(What do we know?)

Pose questions (What dowe need to know?)

Assign responsibility for questions; discuss resources

Research questions; summarize; analyze findings

Reconvene, report on research;

Integrate new Information;Refine questions

Resolution of Problem;(How did we do?)

PBL: The Process

Next stage of the problem

Problem-Based Learning Partnered with

Emerging Technology:

Putting Students at the Center of their Learning

Technology is a Funny Thing….

My academic background:

Degrees

Teaching

But…

I can’t figure out 90% of the functions on my cell phone

My 14-year old son figured out how to hook up my home theater system.

On the Other Hand…

Our new Nintendo Wii offers opportunities for us as a family.

My iPod helped me pass the time on the flight.

My phone allows me to stay in touch with my family.

Frustrations, quality of life.

Technology in the Classroom

Those frustrations also occur when we teach.

The only time you should use technology:- Enhances learning

- Helps achieve learning objectives.

What technologies have a high benefit yet low barrier to entry?

What Is a Wiki?

Wiki versus WikipediaAll Wiki users have an inherent right to change

anything on the page. Along with this right comes an expectation of mutual

respect and trust - i.e., that participants will create an effective product that reflect multiple perspectives.

One of the founders of Wikipedia once stated, “The only way you can write something that survives [in a Wiki] is that someone who’s your diametrical opposite can agree with it.” In other words, don't dictate—collaborate!

How Can Wikis EncourageStudent-Centered Learning?

Evaluation - make a judgment based on criteria

Synthesis - produce something new from component parts

Analysis - break material into parts to see interrelationships

Application - apply concept to a new situation

Comprehension - explain, interpret

Knowledge - remember facts, concepts, definitions

Let’s See What Wikis Can Do….

Wikis and the Journal Review Process

Journal Reviews require analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.

Can wikis provide that same level of intellectual stimulation?

Advantages of Wikis

Simple to use and understand

Can create a web-based resource for future classes

Require students to think about how to improve existing content as well as integrate new content

SharePoint

Facilitates Student-Centered Learning by allowing students to organize their teams.

Features- Document Repository

- Team Calendar

- Announcements and Tasks

- Alerts

Let’s See What SharePoint Can Do….

Selection of Technology for Class

Usefulness—Does it achieve your class’ learning objectives?

Ease of Use—Does it reinforce the concepts, or create barriers to learning?

Acceptability—Students will accept the technology and use it on their own.

Cost—Can the university and students afford the technology?

Characteristics Neededin College Graduates

High level of communication skills.Ability to define problems, gather and

evaluate information, develop solutions.Team skills -- ability to work with others.Ability to use all of the above to address

problems in a complex real-world setting.

Quality Assurance in Undergraduate Education (1994)Wingspread Conference, ECS, Boulder, CO.

Other Reasons for Using PBL?

Students learning to communicate in a common language.International Islamic University of Malaya

Innovation and thinking ‘outside of the box’.Republic Polytechnic, Singapore

Student engagement; learning ‘how to learn’.

Inquiry-based approach, bringing research-like approach to thousands of students.

“The principal idea behind PBL is that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”Boud (1985)

UD PBL online

PBL at UDwww.udel.edu/pbl

PBL Clearinghousewww.udel.edu/pblc

This presentationwww.udel.edu/pbl/yzu