Problem-based Learning Program Research Articles

Problem-based learning and the integration of sustainable development goals

PurposeThis study explores how problem-based learning (PBL) programs can address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) via the higher education (HE) curriculum, teaching materials and relevant assessments, supporting learning at scale for HE institutions.Design/methodology/approachEmploying SDGs and their indicators as the coding framework, our two-phase study evaluates the curriculum and teaching materials of seven PBL programs at a leading higher education institution (HEI). The first phase involved a content analysis to assess the degree of sustainability integration in 156 relevant courses. The second phase applied a semi-automated mapping protocol to analyze learning and teaching materials in 120 relevant courses.FindingsThe school aligns with 17 SDGs (100%), covering 94 indicators (55.62%). On average, each program within the school addresses over ten of these goals and incorporates more than 24 associated indicators. However, the study reveals an imbalance in the incorporation of SDGs, with some goals not yet deeply and comprehensively embedded in the curriculum. While there is a substantial focus on sustainability theories, the practical implications of SDGs in emerging countries, particularly through case studies and assessments, require significant enhancement.Practical implicationsMapping SDGs allows HEIs to identify strengths and gaps in SDG integration, thereby improving the PBL approach to enhance student work readiness in sustainability-focused careers.Originality/valueThrough the lens of transformative learning theory, this study provides evidence of SDG integration into PBL curricula. It highlights a mapping methodology that enables HEIs to evaluate their sustainability readiness in curriculum, teaching materials and relevant assessments.

Effects of a Problem-Based Learning Education Program for Occupational Health Nursing Using Smart Learning on Occupational Health Knowledge and Nursing Professionalism.

This study aimed to develop a problem-based learning program for occupational health nursing using smart learning, and to report the program's effects on occupational health knowledge and nursing professionalism. A quasi-experimental study was performed using a non-equivalent control group pre-test-post-test design. An occupational health nursing problem-based learning program using smart learning was developed, and students produced videos containing problem-solving strategies in groups. The experimental and control groups consisted of 34 and 29 participants, respectively. To collect data, an online survey was conducted before and immediately after the intervention. The experimental and control group's mean scores for occupational health knowledge before the intervention were 5.74 and 7.41, respectively. Additionally, the mean scores for nursing professionalism were 3.45 and 3.66. After the intervention, both the knowledge on occupational health and nursing professionalism score improved to 8.26 and 3.64 in the experimental group. This study reported significant improvements after conducting the occupational health nursing education program. These results demonstrate the need to develop a nursing education program for problem-based learning utilizing smart learning. Moreover, filming videos in cooperation with students can improve the effectiveness of education by improving knowledge.

The Response of Higher-Achieving South African Learners from Poverty to an Extracurricular Mathematics-guided Problem-based Learning Programme

Problem-based learning (PBL) has the potential to enhance both cognitive and affective engagement but has been criticised for being unsuitable for learners with low levels of knowledge and skills, such as South African learners from poor backgrounds. In such cases, guided problem-based learning (GPBL), which includes direct instruction and teacher prompting, may be more effective. However, little is known about the extent to which GPBL can replicate the cognitive and affective benefits of PBL for such learners in the context of middle-school mathematics problem-solving. It is also not clear what the optimal granularity of teacher prompting should be within GPBL. To address these issues, this instrumental case study was conducted with 26 higher-achieving Grade 8 and 9 learners from schools serving poor communities. These learners participated in a GPBL week-long extracurricular holiday mathematics programme in which they were guided to use trigonometry to determine the maximum height reached by a water rocket. Data were collected through video recordings, field notes, written work, and audio-recorded group discussions, and were coded using the multidimensional problem-solving (MPS) framework to identify cognitive and affective behaviors. The learners’ affective responses suggested general positivity towards effortful problem-solving. Their cognitive responses suggested successful engagement in some, but not all, aspects of problem-solving. Although fine-grained prompting did not promote exploratory discussion, it was found to be necessary to guide productive mathematical activity. Medium-grained prompting, which did lead to exploratory discussion, did not appear to be directly productive, although it did appear to enhance learners’ receptivity to subsequent fine-grained prompting.

Promoting self-directed learning skills in a first-year problem-based university program with a self-development intervention

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether an intervention aimed at self-development would stimulate the self-directed learning skills of university students within a problem-based learning program. In a randomized controlled trial study, 408 first-year psychology students were randomly assigned to an experimental or control condition. During their courses, all students received the problem-based program, including feedback from their tutors on professional behaviour and study skills. Students in the experimental group also received an extra self-development intervention including two sessions with a mentor, during which students were asked to reflect on personal learning goals. At the beginning and end of the year, students’ self-directed learning skills were measured with two questionnaires. Over the year, students in the experimental group showed a larger increase in their self-control, in their ability to monitor improvement during task performance, and in their ability to evaluate process and outcome after task execution. Also, their willingness to invest study effort had not decreased, in contrast to students in the control group. These findings show that a relatively simple intervention making students reflect more on their self-development can have a significant effect on a number of relevant self-directed learning skills, even when added to a problem-based learning university program that is already focused on stimulating self-directed learning.

Relationship between Learning Approaches and Students’ Preferences for Online Learning

Objectives: The objective of this study is to enhance the quality of medical education by exploring the learning approaches of students and their relationship with the student’s preference for online learning in a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Program. Subjects and Methods: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional one; the target population included a random sample of students in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years (n = 300). The study was conducted at the Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University in Ismailia, Egypt during the academic year 2021-2022. The instrument used for data collection is named “a Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F)” (Arabic Version). Results: In this study, the students mostly adopt deep learning strategies (72.3%) compared to superficial learning strategies (27.7%). The current study shows that females mostly adopt deep learning strategies (75.8%) compared to males who adopted deep learning strategies (68.7%). The results of the correlation test in the current study show that learning approaches significantly correlated with gender and skills, also only computer skills and year were significantly correlated with the preferences of the students of distance learning. We conducted a correlation analysis with the subscales of the questionnaire with the preference of the students of distance learning. The only significant one is the first item of the questionnaire. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of this research show that students in a PBL school adopt a deep learning approach. Older students with good computer skills prefer online learning to face-to-face learning more than younger ones do. In addition, students prefer online learning to increase their satisfaction in their time of studying, and there is a significant relationship between their computer skills and the learning approach.

Understanding Middle School Students’ Self-Efficacy and Performance in a Technology-Enriched Problem-Based Learning Program: A Learning Analytics Approach

Teachers interested in implementing problem-based learning (PBL) in classrooms encounter many challenges. Research suggests learning analytics (LA) can provide insights into students’ problem-solving process and offer teachers valuable information about when to provide necessary scaffolding. Yet, LA research in K-12 is lacking. There is also a need to explore how K-12 students’ self-efficacy may impact their problem-solving performance and learning behaviors. This study examined 418 middle school students’ self-efficacy, their learning performance and behavioral patterns after using a multimedia-enriched PBL program, and explore the relationships among these factors. Using a mixed-methods design, this study showed students’ different levels of self-efficacy were correlated with their success rates in solving problems. Students with higher self-efficacy used more appropriate tools at the appropriate times than students with lower self-efficacy. Students’ different levels of content knowledge also play a role in how students determine when and what tools to use to facilitate their problem-solving.

Understanding U.S. secondary computer science teachers’ challenges and needs

ABSTRACT Background and Context Based on issues arising around how to best prepare CS teachers and the constantly changing nature of the CS education content, curriculum, and instructional methods, it is crucial to examine the needs of secondary CS teachers. Objective The primary purpose of this study was to identify secondary computer science (CS) teachers’ needs and make recommendations for future CS education research and practices in the U.S. Method Using a mixed-method research design, the data were collected from Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA)’s email listserv member discussions (n = 1,706 from 482 unique members), questionnaire responses from 222 secondary CS teachers, and semi-structured interviews with eight CS teachers in the US. Findings Updating curriculum resources was an important ongoing need for secondary CS teachers. Curriculum resources, materials to assess students learning, and embedding the principles of computational thinking into curriculum were reported as major needs for secondary teachers. Teachers also reported that they need to learn more about student-centered teaching strategies (e.g. problem-based learning and pair programming) and guide students’ learning using scaffolding and team-management strategies. The findings suggest that teachers perceived the need for administrators’, parents’, and other CS teachers’ support. Having an online community for teachers was critical to address their curricular and pedagogical needs. Furthermore, increasing student enrollment and interest in CS was critical for the future of CS education. Implications The findings of this research have implications for creating professional development plans and support that can address secondary CS teachers’ needs in the US.

Effects of electronic fetal monitoring simulation with problem-based learning on nursing students' performance confidence, clinical judgment, and knowledge.

This study aimed to determine the effects of an electronic fetal monitoring simulation with problem-based learning (EFM SPBL) program based on the Clinical Judgment Model. Third-year nursing students were randomly allocated to the control (n = 46) or experimental groups (n = 46). The control group participated in the conventional clinical practice, while the experimental group participated in the EFM SPBL program. The students completed a structured questionnaire on Google surveys. Nursing performance confidence (t = 10.72, p < .001) and clinical judgment (t = 2.53, p = .015) increased significantly in the experimental group. This study recognized improvement in students' clinical judgment in the context of learning transfer. A standardized SPBL with various cases is recommended.

Capacity Building for Food Safety Practices in Fish Farmers in Bangladesh: A Problem-Based Learning Approach

Purpose: This paper discusses how a problem-based learning (PBL) approach can be used effectively to resolve problems in food safety standards being adopted by fish farmers in Bangladesh. Using the example of a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Safety Programme, this paper further highlights the potential of PBL to promote the capabilities needed to train multiple stakeholders, including staff working in local, district, and national organisations, and for local fish farmers to apply the FAO Food Safety Code of Practice in their farms. Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative intrinsic case study approach with qualitative content analysis of written reports was adopted to assess and provide an in-depth description of the PBL programme, the potential capabilities developed and the impact(s) of the project. Findings/Results: The PBL approach adopted for training multiple stakeholders was based on the teaching learning theory of social constructivism using a cascade model of training. Drawing on these principles, the training has promoted capacity building in the different levels of the cascade model, empowered fish farmers to change their behaviours, and adopt the FAO Food Safety Code of Practice, and enhanced their business quality and performance as well as food safety control. Moreover, the success of the training programme enabled it to be extended to a further 100,000 fish farms, and the same approach has been adopted in other types of farms, such as poultry and crop farms. Originality/Value: This paper provides a clear understanding how a PBL approach is capable of outscalling capacity building and amplifying sustainable impact by developing collaborative partnerships with different actors in the fishery sector to bring positive changes in communities that they support. Paper Type: Case study.

A Case Study of the Use of Artificial Intelligence in a Problem-Based Learning Program for the Prevention of School Violence

The aim of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate the use of Artificial Intelligence in the prevention of violence among middle-school students. The sample for this study consisted of 20 first-year middle-school students who participated in theme selection activities in a free semester program as part of their home economics studies. The data for the study consisted of nine class observation logs, four group activity outputs, 30 class results, an online survey, and in-depth interviews with three students. A program called “R.U.OK” was developed by setting problematic situation for school violence prevention linked to the contents of the Home Economics Education(HEE) curriculum. After the program was implemented, the survey on the students’ class satisfaction content elements, with AI-based learning activities and PBL and interest, displayed high points, with an average of 4.0 or higher. Our qualitative analysis produced four significant results. First, students’ concerns about school violence had increased and they showed a change in attitude, having more empathy with friends and more interest in their surroundings. Second, digital and AI literacy had improved, and students’ interest in digital media learning had increased. Third, there had been an improvement in problem-solving ability in terms of being able to think more critically and independently. Fourth, the results also demonstrated that there had been a positive effect on self-direction and an improved capacity for teamwork. This study was significant in demonstrating the effectiveness of a program for the prevention of school violence based on the use of digital technology in the educational environment.

Exploring Approaches for Blended Learning in Life Sciences

Digital tools and platforms offer new solutions to design and conduct university teaching. This case illustrates how such digital solutions may be utilized in problem-based learning programmes within life science educations. Specifically, the case evaluated the use of live-streamed and recorded lectures, the incorporation of digital formative assessment in lectures, and the use of a digital platform to support experimental project work in a research laboratory. We find that digital solutions provide flexibility for both lecturers and students, advantageous options for collecting and sharing information, and for engaging students in their learning process. However, digital tools cannot replace all aspects of traditional in-person teaching, such as social interactions. Rather, when blended with in-person teaching, digital solutions have a large potential for supporting new forms of and approaches to both theoretical and experimental university teaching.

Creating an Interactive Dashboard to Support Middle School Teachers’ Implementation of a Technology-Supported Problem-Based Learning Program

In this design case, we describe our experience of designing and creating a teacher’s dashboard as an accompanying tool to support sixth-grade teachers who implement a technology-supported problem-based learning program on sixth-grade space science in their classrooms. We describe in detail the background of this design case, our motivation to create this teacher’s dashboard, and our iterative design process over a period of five years. Our design process consists of three phases from the idea generation phase to both low- and high-fidelity versions of the prototyping phase to three iterations of the implementation phase. We present our rationales for making various design decisions over the process and our reflections on this design experience including the challenges we have encountered.

Story Telling Problem Based Learning (ST-PBL): A Program for Rural Elderly with Chronic Diseases

Purpose: To measure changes in health knowledge, health attitudes, and health promotion behaviors of the elderly in rural communities after using the Story Telling Problem Based Learning program facilitated by students in a nursing course.Methods: A quasi-experimental study using a non-equivalent control group: 72 students sampled from the nursing discipline were divided into experimental (n=36) and control groups (n=36). The ST-PBL program was provided to the older rural people in the experimental group for six weeks. Results: Data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0. After the application of the ST-PBL program, the participants in the experimental group showed a significant increase in health knowledge and health promotion behavior. Conclusion: The participants in the experimental group demonstrated positive changes in health knowledge, health attitudes, and health promotion behaviours. The use of an approach such as the ST-PBL program can promote uptake of self-care behaviors within the elderly with chronic diseases living in rural areas.

Implementation of a Surgical Problem-Based Learning Curriculum: A One-Year Single-Center Experience.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) has become an integral part of medical student education for preclinical curricula, but few studies have evaluated the benefits of a PBL curriculum for clinical education. This study aims to assess the 1-year experience after implementing a resident-led PBL program for the third-year (MS3) surgery clerkship and compare students' self-reported preparedness following PBL sessions to traditional faculty-led lectures. Surgical faculty and residents developed a PBL curriculum to address common topics in surgical education. Pandemic requirements necessitated a switch from in-person to virtual sessions during the experience. Students enrolled in the MS3 surgical clerkship were asked to participate in a survey. Demographics and clerkship data were obtained. Quality of PBL and faculty-led lectures were assessed using a ten-point Likert scale, and standard statistical analyses were performed. During the study period, 165 students rotated through surgery, of which 129 (78%) responded to the survey (53% female, 59% white). PBLs were held in-person (53%), exclusively virtual (32%) or hybrid (15%) platforms. In-person PBLs were preferred to faculty-led lectures for preparing students for NBME examinations (6.9 vs 6.0), oral examinations (7.8 vs 6.3), and surgical cases (6.3 vs 5.8), all P < .001. Virtual PBLs were also preferred to lectures for preparing students for NBME examinations (6.8 vs 5.8, P < .001) and surgical cases (5.6 vs 4.8, P = .05). PBL is a valuable adjunct for medical student education. Resident-led PBLs were preferred to faculty-led lectures for preparing students for examinations and clerkship experiences and may be useful adjuncts to clinical education.

Effect of self-regulated learning and technology-enhanced activities on anatomy learning, engagement, and course outcomes in a problem-based learning program.

Problem-based learning (PBL) offers advantages for teaching anatomy and physiology for physical therapy students as clinical cases provide a scaffold for a comprehensive review of body systems. Although the utilization of interactive anatomy software greatly contributes to an active learning environment and efficient use of time, simply providing textbook readings, access to anatomy software, and models is not enough to engage students to become active in reaching their learning goals. Time constraints, meaningful technology implementation, resource abundance, and unfamiliarity are challenges that decrease the effectiveness of both facilitating and learning anatomy. The present study investigated the use of three supplemental learning tools to support anatomy instruction in a self-regulated manner. Friedman test results demonstrated significant differences for perceived engagement [χ2(2) = 15.74, P < 0.001, W = 0.23] but not for perceived learning. Survey responses demonstrated that perceived engagement was greatest with the nondigital supplemental learning tool compared with the two technology-enhanced learning tools (iBooks Author + SoftChalk and SoftChalk alone). Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated statistically significant relationships between the nondigital supplemental learning tool and anatomy practical scores (P < 0.001). The technology-enhanced supplemental learning tools did not further increase learning outcomes as measured by practical scores compared with nondigital learning tools. Incorporation of instructor-created instructional materials independent of technology is an efficient method to drive self-regulated learning, enhance engagement, and improve anatomy course outcomes and may overcome barriers associated with a purely self-directed PBL model.

Enablers of pedagogical change within universities: Evidence from Kenya, Ghana and Botswana

Quality of teaching and learning in higher education is increasingly recognised as a pressing issue on the African continent, and there have been various reform initiatives to transform classrooms and institutions. However, little is known about the factors that affect pedagogical change in institutions, and enable or constrain these innovations from taking root. This study explores the cases of eight diverse universities in Botswana, Ghana and Kenya, ones that had implemented a range of innovations including problem-based learning, community placements and academic development programmes. The analysis draws on qualitative data involving interviews with lecturers and senior management, institutional documentation and campus visits. Lecturers were seen to engage in diverse ways with the initiatives, being either opponents, surface adopters, transformers or champions. Four factors emerged as key to influencing the uptake of pedagogical interventions: the drivers of the initiative; the existence of a shared vision; resourcing and incentives; and opportunities for reflection and transformative learning. While some initiatives are more ‘champion-led’ and others more ‘institution-led’, sustainable change involves attention to both university structures and individual practice, and to the interactions between them.

Pharmacological approach for horizontal and vertical integration of medical education at Mie University

Mie University School of Medicine has adapted problem-based learning (PBL)-tutorial education to students in the 3rd and 4th grades. The PBL program has 10 units. Each unit focuses on specific disease areas. For example, unit 1 focuses on infectious diseases, whereas unit 2 is designed for cardiovascular and hematological diseases. Each unit consists of 2 or 3 cases with the diseases focused on the unit. In each case, students are provided with a document that contains information about the patient. Each student makes a portfolio based on the information within a few days. They then discuss the case in a small group consisting of 7 or 8 students. After the group discussion, additional information is provided to students. Each student again makes the portfolio based on the information within a few days and then discusses the case in the same group. During the unit, lectures from the standpoints of basic and clinical medicine are given to help students deepen their knowledge about the diseases. Lectures from pharmacological standpoints are also incorporated into the PBL program. In this symposium, I would like to discuss the role of pharmacology in the PBL program, focusing on the horizontal and vertical integration in medical education.

Reflections and Prospects; Problem-based Learning and Co-op Education in Undergraduate Engineering Programs focusing on Incongruity between Student’s Major and Company’s Field of Activity

While some failures or inadequate operations have been pointed out for a final research project done by senior students of undergraduate engineering education, the possibility of PBL (problem-based learning) programs in the curricula set in HEI has attracted prospects to nurture problem-solving skill and attitude among future engineers. The authors have been in charge of directing college students to tackle PBL projects as a regular and obligatory subject in the newly implemented program. At the opening of the curriculum, it was considered that differences between the technological or scientific fields of collaborating firms or organizations and the students’ majors or interests could be of the biggest barrier to successful PBL, however, we observed some cases the students rather acquired problem-solving skill based on the interdisciplinary point of view so effectively even with these gaps as a result. This paper compares PBL cases with the “well-matched goal” and the “ill-defined problem” of the project presented to the student, and shows the hopeful perspective of PBL in undergraduate engineering programs reflecting on problem-set research projects that might not raise students’ independency and/or interdisciplinarity.

A Study on Key Components of Problem-Based Learning through Literature Review

With problem-solving capacity continuously gathering prominence in professional field, Korean universities are deviating from traditional rote-teaching to a teaching method which ensures development in problem-solving ability among students. As part of several new teaching methods, problem-based learning (PBL) has emerged as an effective means for education. For successful implementation of PBL within university curricula, pinpointing components required for PBL program is necessary, and yet essential components of PBL have not been specifically identified according to studies. Thus, this study conducted a literature review to identify key components which are necessary for effective application of PBL in university courses.

The effect of woman health nursing problem-based learning on self-efficacy, self-directed learning and problem-solving ability

This study examined the effect of woman health nursing problem-based learning program for nursing students on self-efficacy, self-directed learning and problem-solving ability. It is a quasi-experimental study for pre/post-test design of a nonequivalent control group. An experimental group and a control group had 43 participants each for this study (n = 86). This test operated the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) program for the experimental group and gave a lecture instruction class to the control group. The two groups were surveyed to check the effect of the program on self-efficacy, self-directed learning and problem-solving ability at the same time by the pre/post-test. Thus, it was found out that the problem-solving ability was p = .001 and the self-efficacy was p = .005, which meant that the PBL program had significantly influenced. Therefore, it is implied that the PBL program can be helpful to problem-solving ability and self-efficacy of woman health nursing learning.