How can I get my students to think?" is a question asked by many faculty staff. Problem-based learning (PBL) is an instructional method that challenges students to "learn to learn" working cooperatively in groups to seek solution to real world problems. These problems are used to engage students curiosity and initiate learning the subject matter. PBL prepares students to think critically and analytically, and to find and use appropriate learning recourses.
We utilize multimedia triggers in contrast to paper-based text triggers to stimulate the students to think, through a video that simulates a clinical scenario. Students would easily be involved in the clinical problem and would be provoked to seek the required solution.
The online curriculum helps tremendously to facilitate the PBL session. It provides an interface for the delivery of the curriculum electronically.
With our tutorial room design, its round table and its smart board which has replaced the traditional chalk/marker board, we managed to create an excellent environment that encourages the delivery of PBL tutorials. This smart board also to be recorded to facilitate easy follow up on any lectures delivered in the sessions.
The smart board also facilitates online browsing for references and other online materials by simply allowing the tutor to switch between screens.