PBL Core Skills Faculty Development Workshop 1: An Experiential Exercise with the PBL Process

Abstract

This report describes the first in a series of foundation-building faculty development workshops focused on the instructional methodology of problem-based learning (PBL). The PBL Process workshop reported here introduced the learning theory topics supporting PBL and utilized an extended roleplay method to provide participants with personal experience with the PBL learning cycle. Overall, participants were satisfied with the methods and content of the workshop. A majority of survey respondents indicated that simulating a complete iteration of the PBL process was an effective way to learn about PBL. Participants expressed relatively greater difficulty understanding and performing activities related to qualitative assessment of learning processes. The workshop was developed to align with adult learning principles, and continued refinement of the workshop has enhanced the learning theory components underpinning PBL as well as the experiential aspects. These dual goals have resulted in blending the existing experiential workshop with an online distance-learning component addressing the learning theory topics relevant to PBL pedagogy.

<p>Problem-based learning: medical students&rsquo; perception toward their educational environment at Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University</p>

“…The lack of proper training may explain the poor contribution of students in group discussions and indicate that training provided to the students in the learning skills course was not enough. Thus, proper student training is essential before starting the PBL sessions, and it should include information on the utilizing of different available resources for seeking information, and making decisions by assessing, interpreting, evaluating, comparing, and weighing evidence 38,39…”

Students’ perception towards the problem based learning tutorial session in a system-based hybrid curriculum

“…It has been documented in the literature that proper tutor training is an essential step for the success of PBL sessions. 10 , 30 , 31 Inadequate tutor skills have been reported as a barrier to effective feedback. 32 In addition, tutor feedback is an essential element in the process of student’s learning and development.…”

“…Student training before starting PBL should include information on utilizing the different available resources for seeking information, prioritizing, planning their approach, making decisions, assessing, interpreting, evaluating, comparing, weighing evidence, and using resources. 30 , 35 Successful reform curriculum implementation requires considerable student and staff training before the introduction of a new instructional method of teaching.…”

Evaluación de un curso itinerante sobre aprendizaje basado en problemas a través de dos encuestas

“…Por otro lado, sí se han hallado múltiples experiencias formativas en el extranjero llevadas a cabo sobre el ABP, tanto de cursos de iniciación como talleres de formación para actuar como tutores [1,23,[27][28][29][30]. También se deben destacar tres publicaciones que presentan la experiencia del ABP en el área de odontología [31][32][33]. Estos trabajos describen unos cursos de formación orientados a tutores-facilitadores, en los que participaron más de un centenar de futuros docentes.…”