Best Practices
Problem-
Based
Learning
Best Practices in Problem-Based Learning
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a non-traditional teaching technique where “the problem drives
the learning” (Tse & Chan, 2003). First, a problem is presented. Students must then search for the
information needed to help them solve it (Salas, Segundo, Álvarez, Arellano & Pérez, 2014). In PBL,
“learning is student-centered” (Tse & Chan, 2003) and the instructor’s role is not lecturing, as in the
traditional style of teaching that has dominated engineering and science education, but coaching the
students to acquire knowledge and to become “self-directed learners” (Forcael et al., 2015, Stanford
University Center for Teaching and Learning, 2001).
Why Use Problem-Based Learning?
Problem-based learning promotes a better understanding of course concepts and improves the problem-
solving skills of the students as well as their communication, presentation and teamwork skills. Research
has shown that students find PBL to be a very “motivating and effective means for learning” (McLoone,
Lawlor & Meehan, 2016; Forcael et al., 2015). Students are more engaged in class because they recognize
that they are acquiring important skills which will help them succeed in their future careers (Stanford
University Center for Teaching and Learning, 2001). The combination of problem-based learning with
traditional teaching in engineering and science “strengthens the teaching-learning process” (Salas,
Segundo, Álvarez, Arellano & Pérez, 2014).
In this issue of Best Practices, we will explore different problem-based learning strategies, with a focus on
teaching in STEM.
Problem-Based Learning Strategies
Case-Based Learning
• To get students interested in the lesson, the instructor presents a real-life example of an open-ended
problem for them to solve
• Students brainstorm in small groups for a few minutes to formulate their ideas
• Through online simulations or interactive discussions, students understand that as yet unknown fun-
damental principles are needed to solve the problem
• The instructor then introduces the fundamental concepts needed to solve the problem. This can be
done through case studies, scenarios, field trips and online tours
Example: Case-Based Learning
Nasr and Ramadan describe how case-based learning was used to teach the laws of thermodynamics
(2005). To explain the first law of thermodynamics, the instructor began by presenting an online simu-
lation showing a car piston-cylinder system where the law applies. The students brainstormed in small
groups for five minutes to formulate the problem. Through discussion, students discovered the need for
an energy principle to understand the process by which the car piston-cylinder system worked. This
led to the introduction of the first law of thermodynamics (Nasr & Ramadan, 2005).
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In a subsequent lesson on the first law of thermodynamics, the instructor started with an online tour of
a coal-fueled steam power plant. The students then brainstormed trying to understand how the water
turned into steam. They concluded that the 1st law of thermodynamics as it was first applied to closed
systems (the car piston-cylinder system) needs to be changed when working with open systems, i.e.
steam power plants (Nasr & Ramadan, 2005).
Inquiry-Based Learning
• The instructor poses a problem to students without giving any background information
• The students attempt to solve the problem in small groups based on what they already know from the
course
• The instructor then explains the fundamental concepts needed to solve the problem
• After the explanation, the instructor dedicates time to review the problem with the students and to
address their questions
• Another problem can then be presented to the students which they must solve using what they just
learned
Example: Inquiry-Based Learning
Students in a civil engineering class were divided into groups of four. The instructor presented an
engineering project scheduling problem to students without explaining the concept of the critical path
project modeling method. The students were then asked to attempt to solve it using the scheduling
methods taught previously in the course. Once students completed this exercise, the instructor explained
the critical path method and reviewed the problem with them. Then, the instructor opened the floor for
questions. After the review, the instructor gave a second problem to the students and asked them to solve
it in groups using the critical path method (Forcael et al., 2015).
Design-Based Learning
• Students are divided in groups and required to work on a design project through the semester
• The instructor works as a facilitator and provides criteria for the project
• The instructor sets the deadlines for reports, presentations, etc. and provides clear rubrics for the
assessment of the project
• Based on the fundamental concepts that students have learned in previous courses and through their
progressive research, the students will develop a design project and present their model at the end of
the semester
• Throughout the semester, workshops about ethics, technical report writing and presentation skills
help students acquire the skills needed to finish their projects successfully (McLoone, Lawlor &
Meehan, 2016)
Example: Design-Based Learning
Students were given the task of designing a scientific calculator using microcontrollers (Tse & Chan,
2003). Two major criteria were set: the calculator should (1) perform operations in the right sequence and
(2) have the ability to check for errors in case of wrong user input. The instructor set the milestones for
the project and the areas that will be assessed, including functionality of the calculator, hardware design,
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the interface between the software modules, presentation/report and built-in programming capability.
The project was divided into four major components: hardware design, software development for the
keyboard and the display interfaces and finally the mathematical algorithm. During the lectures, students
were provided with the technical information needed for their design. In addition, they had to gather
more information on their own from different sources to strengthen their ideas.
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Work Cited
Forcael, E., González, V., Orozco, F., Opazo, A., Suazo, Á., &
Aránguiz, P. (2015). Application of Problem-Based Learning to
Teaching the Critical Path Method. Journal Of Professional
Issues. In Engineering Education And Practice, 141(3),
04014016. [Link]
5541.0000236
McLoone, S., Lawlor, B., & Meehan, A. (2016). The Implementation
and Evaluation of a Project-Oriented Problem-Based
Learning Module in a First Year Engineering Programme.
Journal Of Problem Based Learning In Higher Education,
4(1), 71-80. [Link]
jpblhe.v0i0.1243
Nasr, K., & Ramadan, B. (2005). Implementation of Problem-
Based Learning into Engineering Thermodynamics. In 2005
American Society for Engineering Education Annual
Conference & Exposition (pp. 10.722.1-17). Portland, Oregon:
American Society for Engineering Education.
Salas, J., Segundo, J., Álvarez, C., Arellano, J., & Pérez, A. (2014).
Evaluation of the Use of Two Teaching Techniques in
Engineering. International Journal Of Engineering Pedagogy
(Ijep), 4(3), 4. [Link]
Stanford University Center for Teaching and Learning. (2001).
Problem-Based Learning. Speaking Of Teaching, 11(1),
1-8. Retrieved from: [Link]
Newsletter/
Tse, W., & Chan, W. (2003). Application of Problem-Based Learning
in an Engineering Course. International Journal Of
Engineering Education, 19(5), 747-753. Retrieved from
[Link]
Prepared by Noura Sinno, Graduate Educational Developer, for the Learning & Teaching Office, 2017
[Link]