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14 July 2003, 10.30am-4.00pm, Engineering 305, Mile End Campus, Queen Mary University of London. Facilitated by James Busfield.

Background

Problem Based Learning (PBL) is a concept used to enhance multidisciplinary skills using planned problem scenarios. It is an active way of learning that teaches students problem solving skills while at the same time allowing them to acquire basic knowledge. PBL was first introduced in the late 1960s at McMaster University in the US and has since spread around the world mainly in medical education. In 2000 the Materials Department at QMUL was the first Materials Department in the UK to introduced PBL.

The principal aims of implementing PBL are:

• to integrate knowledge and skills from a range of multidisciplinary modules
• to acquire knowledge through self study
• to teach students how to work in groups and manage group projects
• to improve and develop the communication skills of the students
• to develop the problem solving skills of the student
• to encourage self-motivation, curiosity and thinking
• and finally to make learning more fun

This workshop will discuss how PBL has been introduced at QMUL into all stages of the curriculum, including advice on how to avoid many of the pitfalls that have been encountered over the last three years. The presentations will demonstrate how PBL is managed, how students are supported in these activities and examples of the types of problems tackled by the students will be reviewed. The opportunity will be given to quiz students and staff who have worked with PBL so that they can recount their personal experiences. In addition, examples of how the application of PBL during open days can be used to help recruitment will be given.

The workshop is aimed at anyone who works in the engineering education sector who wants to make the learning experience for their students more informative and rewarding.

  

Programme

10:30	Registration and coffee
11:00	What is PBL and how is it run at QMUL? James Busfield
12:00	Example of a Typical Case study
12:20	Discussion Forum Student response to PBL
12:45	Lunch in the gallery restaurant
1:45	Examples of using PBL during a summer school to facilitate recruitment Mike Reece
2:30	Setting up a Case Study Participants work through the study following the PBL guidelines
3:15	Coffee
3:30	Feedback Session Groups report on their specific case studies and gain feedback on their proposed solutions
3:45	Discussion forum Staff response to PBL
4:00	Finish