Unit 1: What is authentic math teaching?
Return to Mini-course Home page Making Math Real
Objectives
By the end of this unit the learner will be able to
- Describe what problem based learning is
- Identify the differences between problem based learning and traditional learning
Introduction
Webster's Dictionary defines Problem-Based Learning as the following:
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a didactic concept of "active learning" in tertiary education, but is currently being adapted for use in K-12 education. The defining characteristics of PBL are:
(a) learning is driven by messy, open-ended problems
(b) students work in small collaborative groups
(c) teachers are facilitators of learning.
Accordingly, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their group and organise and direct the learning process with support from a tutor or instructor. Advocates of PBL claim it can be used to enhance content knowledge and foster the development of communication, problem-solving, and self-directed learning skill.
After reading this definition of Problem-Based Learning and reflecting on your own teaching/learning experiences, what does Problem-Based learning mean in your classroom/for your students? Take a few minutes and write down your thoughts.
Activity
Begin by reading this article from The Mathematics Teacher on Problem Based Learning in a Math Classroom. We will be coming back to this article throughout the mini-course but for now focus on how they define Problem Based Learning and the examples they give (Page 1-2 of the article).
File:ProblemBasedTeachngMT92(6).pdf
After reading the article, watch this short video on a problem based learning classroom.
Reflection/Assessment
After reading the article and watching the video do you still have the same idea of what Problem-Based Learning is. Take some time and reflect on your answer and answer the following questions 1. What is Problem-Based Learning?
2. How is it different from Traditional Teaching?
3. Is there Problem-Based Learning going on in your classroom? If so what does it look like? If not is it a feasible thing to accomplish?
Additional Resources
https://sites.google.com/site/pbasedlearning/home