University of Delaware

Experience It Yourself:An Introduction to

Problem-Based Learning

Institute for TransformingUndergraduate Education

Courtesy of Barb Duch

What is Problem-Based Learning?

PBL prepares students to think critically and analytically, and to find and use appropriate learning resources.

PBL is a learning approach that challenges students to “learn to learn,” working cooperatively in groups to seek solutions to real world problems.

“The principal idea behind PBL is that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”Boud (1985)

PBL: Experience It Yourself

The Wars of the West/Las Guerras del Oeste:The Colorado River Water Problem

Image from international.waterinfo.net.cn

PBL: Experience It Yourself

Since she took office, Secretary of the Interior and Water Master Gale Norton has attempted to settle competing demands for Colorado River water.

photo of Gale Norton from www.lvrj.com

Individual “Prewriting” Exercise

After reviewing the letter, take a few minutes to write about the central problems facing Secretary Norton, and why the problem is so critical now.

Please write your response on page 2, questions 1 & 3 of “The Wars of the West” handout.

Group Discussion

Please discuss the letter in your groups, and share your ideas about the central problems facing Secretary Norton and the critical nature of the crisis.

Stakeholders???

In your groups, identify major stakeholder groups – individuals or groups who are potentially affected by the dispute over Colorado River water allocation.

Stakeholder Groups and the Crisis in Colorado River Water

To add suspense and excitement, each group will randomly selectrandomly select its stakeholder group identity!!

After your selection, discuss as a group what you already know about the crisis and how it affects your stakeholder group.

Learning Issues

The concept of learning issueslearning issues is central to PBL. It encourages students to think for themselves about what they know and

what they don’t know about an issue.

It helps identify questions for further research.

On page 3 of the handout,

list learning issues for your

stakeholder group…..

An Opportunity for Stakeholders!

Secretary Norton has announced that she will meet with all interested stakeholder groups tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. Your group will be given 5 minutes to present your most persuasive argument for your position about your rights to the Colorado River water.

Plan your strategy!

Next Stage

Challenge students to:

• Learn all content from each stakeholder group.

• Integrate and prioritize the issues related to the decisions that must be made with respect to the Colorado River water.