Problem Based Learning in Mathematics
Malathi AlP Letchumanan
Institute for Mathematical Research
Universiti Putra Malaysia
43400 UPM Serdang
Selangor Malaysia
malathi@[Link]
Abstract In order to solve this problem, the educators should
Research shows that the introduction of problem based continuously encourage the students to gain work
learning (PBL) could foster student-centered learning, experience and soft skills on campus and off campus.
enhances students' abilities in learning, change their Most of the students seem unaware of the importance
perception towards the subject matter and creates active of work experience. In order to assist students, an
[Link] this approach has been applied in other educator may use several approaches to enhance their
disciplines, there is still lack of research focusing on the skills and knowledge; for example stimulating the
adoption ofPBLapproach in the Mathematics curriculum minds of students with discussions and case studies. It is
in countries such as Malaysia. Thus, this paper examines suggested that these educators may consider introducing
and summarizes some of the research conducted in the problem based learning (PBL) approach in teaching
area of PBL in teaching and learning Mathematics which is believed to increase soft skills and independent
learning (Sharifah & Lee, 2005).
and its effectiveness from students' perspective. The
review shows PBL adoption in Mathematics is gaining
positive feedbacks from students even though there are PBL is a student-centred learning approach in which
no convincing evidence to prove that PBL does in fact
students work collaboratively in small groups to
increase students' perfonnance. solve problems given. These small groups of students
normally are guided by lecturers/teachers who play the
Introduction role of 'facilitators'.
In this global economic era, graduates from higher PBL was pioneered and used extensively at the medical
learning institutions are faced with the challenges school of McMaster University, Ontario, Canada in
of finding adequate jobs. Most of the employers seek order to overcome students' limited ability to apply
graduates who have the ability to solve authentic coursework knowledge into clinical problems (Torp &
problems encountered in the workplace. Unfortunately, Sage, 2002). Today, PBL is used extensively in many
the current curriculum and pedagogy employed in higher learning institutions worldwide and in many fields of
learning institutions in Malaysia often fail to prepare professional training such as nursing, engineering and
graduates for the challenging workplace (Sharifah & architecture. Table I shows the PBL implementation in
Lee, 2005). Moreover, most undergraduates in Malaysia local universities in Malaysia.
carne from a schooling system which is exam oriented
and pay less emphasis on development of soft skills Table l' Implementation of PBL in Malaysia
needed in workplace (Hussain, Ahmad et aI, 2007). LOCAL INSTITUTIONS FIELD
University Islam Malaysia Enviromnental Law
In addition, the high unemployment rate of 70% among
graduates has captured the attention of many parties and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak Medical
there is a strong urge for immediate remedy (Suresh Universiti Kebangsaan Medical
Ram, 2006). The high unemployment rate in Malaysia is Malaysia
due to lack of the basic skills, expertise, communication
Universiti Sains Malaysia Physics
skills and knowledge among Malaysian graduates. Most
of the employers who hire fresh graduates claimed that Universiti Malaya Infonnation
fresh graduates also lack the soft skills which are the Technology,
core requirement for any jobs (Woo, 2006). Generally Mathematics
soft skills can be categorized into three areas; character, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Information
interpersonal skill and critical and creative thinking (Nor Technology
Hartini, 2007). These skills enable one to communicate
effectively, manage relationships, h~ad a team, and solve Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Engineering
Malaysia
problems. However, many employers particularly from
the private sectors claimed that they are not interested in (Source: Adapted and modified from Faaizah &
. recruiting local graduates because they lack these soft
Halimah, 2008)
skills and expertise required in their area (Woo, 2006).