Students’ perceptions of lecturer power and authority in a higher education PBL business programme

Abstract

ABSTRACTAlthough often suffering from a lack of conceptual clarity and definition, the use of problem-based learning (PBL) as a pedagogical approach has become almost ubiquitous across many disciplines in higher education in recent years. As well as purported benefits for student learning, the empowerment of students through increased autonomy is frequently cited as a rationale for the adoption and promotion of PBL. However, while significant research has been conducted on the relationship between student learning and PBL approaches, there exists a dearth in research regarding the impact on power relationships within the higher education classroom. This paper attempts to help address this dearth through the use of a qualitative research study involving interviews with 13 graduates (5 male and 8 female) from a PBL master’s degree programme. The results suggest that the adoption of PBL as a pedagogical strategy does not guarantee a significant shift in the power relationships evident within higher education. Participants perceived that the dominance of lecturer power was maintained in the classroom via the employment of both explicit and implicit techniques.