How to Use Problem-Based Learning in the Classroom

Details the problem-based learning process, explores the teacher's role, and provides background information, lessons, problems, a chart for organizing student research, and information about assessment. Problem-based learning (PBL) is a teaching technique that educates by presenting students with a situation that leads to a problem for them to solve. Rather than finding a single correct answer, students interpret the question, gather additional information, create possible solutions, evaluate options, and present conclusions. This book shows classroom instructors how to challenge students by providing them with a structured opportunity to share information, prove their knowledge, and engage in independent learning. Chapter 1 defines PBL, discussing its origins and its place in the school improvement movement. Chapter 2 offers reasons for using PBL in the classroom, including more active student engagement in learning, promotion of an interdisciplinary approach, and greater student choice. Chapter 3 discusses the teacher's role in PBL as curriculum designer, guide, and evaluator. Chapter 4 describes how to develop a problem for study, and chapter 5 describes the PBL process. Chapter 6 discusses evaluating PBL in the classroom. Chapters 7-11 offer specific examples of problem-based learning in the classroom. The examples include: 11th and 12th grade chemistry; 3rd grade social studies; 7th grade mathematics; 9th grade biology; and an interdisciplinary 5th grade PBL-based curriculum. Chapter 12 offers suggestions for creating an environment that encourages problem-based learning and concludes by outlining the essential elements of problem-based learning. (TJQ)

Engaging and motivating students--especially the least motivated learners--is a daily challenge. But with the process of problem-based learning (PBL), any teacher can create an exciting, active classroom where students themselves eagerly build problem-solving skills while learning the content necessary to apply them.

With problem-based learning, students' work begins with an ill-defined problem. Key to this problem is how it explicitly links something important in students' daily lives to the classroom. This motivational feature is vital as students define the what, where, and how of resolving the problem situation.

Problem-based learning may sound potentially chaotic and haphazard, but it rests on the firm foundation of a teacher's work behind the scenes. The teacher develops a problem long before students see it, specifically choosing the skills and content the problem will emphasize and matching those to curriculum and standards. Though a PBL problem will have no "right" answer, the teacher structures the experience so that specific learning takes place as students generate the problem-solving steps, research issues, and produce a final product. The teacher guides without leading, assists without directing.

Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book.

Engaging and motivating students--especially the least motivated learners--is a daily challenge. But with the process of problem-based learning (PBL), any teacher can create an exciting, active classroom where students themselves eagerly build problem-solving skills while learning the content necessary to apply them. With problem-based learning, students' work begins with an ill-defined problem. Key to this problem is how it explicitly links something important in students' daily lives to the classroom. This motivational feature is vital as students define the what, where, and how of resolving the problem situation. Problem-based learning may sound potentially chaotic and haphazard, but it rests on the firm foundation of a teacher's work behind the scenes. The teacher develops a problem long before students see it, specifically choosing the skills and content the problem will emphasize and matching those to curriculum and standards. Though a PBL problem will have no "right" answer, the teacher structures the experience so that specific learning takes place as students generate the problem-solving steps, research issues, and produce a final product. The teacher guides without leading, assists without directing. Note: This product listing is for the Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version of the book. Problem-based learning (PBL) helps students build problem-solving skills, while learning the content necessary to apply them. Student work begins with an ill-defined problem, which links something important in the student's daily life to the classroom. The student defines the ''what, where, and how'' of resolving the problem. Problem-based learning rests on the firm foundation of a teacher's work behind the scenes. The teacher develops a problem long before a student sees it, specifically choosing the skills and content the problem will emphasize and matching those to curriculum and standards Provides information about problem-based learning, a teaching technique that educates by presenting students with a situation that leads to a problem for them to solve; and shows how teachers can use PBL in their classrooms to replace passive listening and memorizing with active learning Robert Delisle. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 105-107). Mode Of Access: World Wide Web.