up:: [[Instructional Design]] tags:: #source/article #on/learning #on/teaching source:: [Problem-Based Learning | Center for Teaching Innovation](https://teaching.cornell.edu/teaching-resources/engaging-students/problem-based-learning) # Problem-Based Learning Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is an educational approach where students collaborate in groups to solve open-ended problems, which serves as the main driver for both motivation and learning. The method emphasizes active engagement and critical thinking skills development. **Key Points:** - PBL fosters various learning outcomes including teamwork, project management, communication skills, self-awareness, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. - Rather than traditional teaching methods, PBL presents the problem first, encouraging students to explore, analyze, and solve it, often over an extended period. - The process involves several steps: defining the problem, assessing existing knowledge, identifying learning needs, exploring solutions, solving the problem, and presenting findings. - To implement PBL effectively, educators should articulate clear learning outcomes, design authentic problems, establish ground rules for group work, introduce students to group processes, assign roles or perspectives, and plan assessment strategies. - Resources like the University of Delaware's PBL Clearinghouse provide access to pre-developed PBL activities. - Assessment can include both self-assessment and peer evaluation, integrated into the overall grading of the assignment.