Week 8 Discussion 1

Problem-Based Learning

Using problems to drive training is not new. In the early 1900s, John Dewey (1916) advocated instructional approaches that rooted learning in realistic problems or projects. In the years since the first edition of Building Expertise, I have seen increasing numbers of reports about lessons and courses that use problems to start and/or anchor learning events. As is common in our field, instructional approaches that rely heavily on problems have been called by various names. In this edition, I will review three instructional models that rely on problems or cases and that are supported by research evidence:

(1) Problem-Based Learning (PBL) prevalent in medical education,

(2) van Merrienboer’s Four Component ID Model, and

(3) A cognitive apprenticeship in the form of Sherlock, an intelligent automated tutor designed to build troubleshooting skills.

Problems in the form of work-related case studies or scenarios are in widespread use as the context for learning. Problems have been used to kick off near- and far-transfer learning in educational and training settings and in synchronous and asynchronous delivery modes. Problems are centerpieces in training designed for solo learning as well as in collaborative learning settings. Given the ubiquitous use of problems as instructional drivers in diverse settings and for diverse content, it is likely that you can adapt some aspects of these designs to your instructional goals. In spite of its popularity, problem-centered learning has its critics and has been the focus of a lively debate in the educational research community (See Kirschner, Sweller, & Clark (2006) and Volume 42, issue 3, of the Educational Psychologist).

To prepare for this Discussion:

· Model of Metacognition – See attachments

· Chapter 13 – See word.doc

· Chapter 7 & 8 – See word docs

Assignment:

Post  a cohesive response Be sure to discuss the following:

· Review and reflect on what you learned in the past 8 weeks.

· What is the most practical and easily applied lesson you learned?

· What was the hardest to grasp?

· Why?

· 3 – 4 paragraphs