Knowra Problem-based learning Problem-based learning Problem-based learning is an instructional approach in which learners investigate complex, often open-ended problems to identify what they need to learn and develop reasoned solutions.
Ill-structured problem : A problem with incomplete information, multiple plausible solutions, or criteria that require interpretation. Such problems provide the uncertainty that drives inquiry in problem-based learning.
Constructivism : A theory of learning in which people actively build knowledge through experience and interpretation. The approach assumes learners construct understanding by investigating and discussing problems.
Medical education : The education and training of physicians and other medical professionals. Medical schools helped establish problem-based learning as a sustained curriculum model.
McMaster University : A public research university in Hamilton, Ontario, founded in 1887. Its medical school developed a prominent problem-based curriculum in the late 1960s.
Transfer of learning : The application of knowledge or skills learned in one context to a different context. A central promise is that investigating problems supports using knowledge in new situations.
Self-directed learning : A learning process in which learners take responsibility for identifying goals, resources, and ways to assess progress. Learners determine what knowledge they need to address the problem.
Inquiry-based learning : An instructional approach in which questions and investigation organize learning. Both approaches use inquiry, but problem-based learning begins with a complex problem.
Engineering education : The education of students in engineering principles, design, and professional practice. Open-ended design challenges let engineering students integrate technical knowledge with constraints.
Howard S. Barrows : An American physician and medical educator who helped develop problem-based learning in medical education. His work shaped its methods for case design, small-group tutoring, and learner inquiry.
Knowledge retention : The persistence of learned information or skills over time. Research compares how well learners retain material after problem-based and conventional instruction.
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