Problem-Based Learning (PBL) Henry Shu-hung CHUNG Department of Electronic Engineering City University of Hong Kong.

Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

Henry Shu-hung CHUNGDepartment of Electronic EngineeringCity University of Hong Kong

Related Experiences

• Have taught for over ten years at CityU

• Have supervised seven PhDs

• Currently supervising seven PhDs

• Applied PBL in a product design course in

2002

• Have become L2L facilitator since 2003

• Applied PBL in an electronics course in

2004

Let’s start …

What is the value of the “Golden Ratio” ?

It is “1.618033989…”.

When did we learn this number ?

Why is it important ?

Contents

• What is Effective Learning ?• Motivation for Learning• Learning Outcomes• Problem-Based Learning• Student Feedback• Factors Affecting Learning

Effectiveness

What is Effective Learning ?How much do you remember what you have learned for your latest examination ?

Surface learning perhaps mainly by rote memorization

Short Term Memory

What is Effective Learning ?Knowledge stored in our

Long Term Memory

1. solving problems in different situations2. breaking problems down into small parts

etc…………….

Motivation for LearningA) Extrinsic motives

– To pass a test / examination – To complete an assignment

B) Intrinsic motives– To add value to oneself– For the sake of interest

How to set the right motivation ? A) Set Goal

– Where are you going ?– Why do you want to get there ?

B) Assess Outcomes– Are you making progress ?– How do you know when you are

there ?

Learning Outcomes

Bloom’s Taxonomy on Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge• Comprehension• Application• Analysis• Synthesis• Evaluation

Problem-Based Learning• Not only a student group project• Setup a mechanism to maximize

interactions among– Students– Facilitators– Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)– Experts in the world

• Facilitators and students are learners

Eight Tasks in PBL

Task 1– Explore the problem– Create hypotheses– Identify issues– Elaborate

Task 2– Try to solve the problem with what you

currently know

Eight Tasks in PBL

Task 3– Identify what you do not know

Task 4As a group

– Prioritize your learning needs– Set learning goals and objectives– Allocate resources– Identify tasks for each member

Eight Tasks in PBL

Task 5– Individual self-study and preparation

Task 6– Return to the group– Share the new knowledge effectively so

that the entire group learns the information

Eight Tasks in PBL

Task 7– Apply knowledge to solve the problem

Task 8– Assess the new knowledge, the problem

solution and effectiveness of the process used– Reflect on particular work and that of the group

Implementation

Four major steps– Exploring meeting [120 minutes]– Preparing meeting [60 minutes]– Sharing meeting [120 minutes]– Assessing meeting [60 minutes]

Step 1 - Exploring meeting1. Share weekly schedules and reflective

journals2. Role allocation (chairperson & secretary) 3. Perform PBL Task 14. Discuss and finalize the learning contract

with the facilitator

Sample

Step 2 - Preparing meeting1. Put together information

collected2. Decide if more information

should be collected3. Prepare for the sharing/teaching

meeting

Sample

Step 3 - Sharing meeting• Preparation for the presentation• Perform PBL Task 6 to 8

Sample

Step 4 - Assessing meeting• Perform self and small group

assessment• Put together the final draft report

Sample

Overview on the whole course

Steps

Activity

1

Test students’ background knowledge Understand their expectationsIntroduce PBL method to the students

2 Give feedback on the test to the students

3 Perform the case study and the four meetings

4 Test and give feedback to the students

5 Peer evaluation6 Course evaluation

Purpose of PBL

Is it for teaching a subject ?

No, it is much more than that.

It is for enhancing learning attitude and process skills (e.g. information skills, team skills)

Student Feedback• Power Electronics is an interesting topic, and the teaching

method is really different from other EE courses, it is totally fresh to me. It offers us a chance to learn independently and prepare for the presentation. It's a good experience

• Firstly, I would like to say thank you for your teaching and kind help for this subject and I've got a good result in the exam. I think PBL is a good learning method for understanding the subject in depth. It stimulates students’ interest and encourages students to learn by himself/herself. Unfortunately, time is not enough for us to further understanding the matter, it is the main disadvantage of this course or may be it is due to the constraint of the current education system.A good teacher is also important for PBL, I think a good teacher can give a suitable response to student and boost the learning process and you have done a good job. Finally, I would like to express my thanks to your contribution.

Factors Affecting Learning Effectiveness

1. Prior knowledge 2. Skills3. Timely feedback / expert

guidance4. Self – initiative 5. Motivation / attitude

Sharing of my website

http://www.ee.cityu.edu.hk/~shc/course

Username: course

Password: course03

Teachers’ Update CourseCityU offers a series of TUC in coming summer. Detailed information can be found on

http://www.cityu.edu.hk/tuc

Thank you

and

Discussion