The Practice of Problem-Based Learning: A Guide to Implementing PBL in the College Classroom

Bravo! The Practice of Problem-Based Learning: a Guide to Implementing PBL in the College Classroom really brings the PBL strategy to life, which is fitting given the focus of the book--bringing complex academic content to life in a way that engages students and makes them active participants in the learning process.For those not familiar with PBL, think of it as a way to create an internship within the classroom setting. Like an internship, the goal is to not only expose the students to the ways in which the course content is used in the real world, but to make them active participants in the learning process. Reams of research validate the Chinese proverb, "Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand." This is particularly true for Gen Y's who characterize the majority of our over-13 student population. As Tammy Erickson (HBS professor, generational expert and author of Plugged In: The Generation Y Guide to Thriving at Work) points out, Gen Y's have a huge appetite for "big important tasks," "figuring it out," and a boss who "gives me a project and I can just handle it." PBL feeds right into the millennials desire to learn by doing. Why not figure out a way to transform your courses so that the students are hungry to come to class?If you want to dive into PBL, this book will give you the tools you need to do it. Though the book is chock full of website resources, particularly from other universities around the world, it is The Practice of PBL that most effectively answered my questions about the pros and cons of this cutting edge approach to teaching. Topics addressed range from changing your course content to conducting the class to evaluating your students - and having them evaluate one another. Concrete examples are included to answer many of a professor's questions, from specific assignments to a sample evaluation form. What I found most helpful about the book, however, was the diverse perspective of the authors who are professors of soil science, writing, and sociology. For every critical issue included in the book, each of the three authors gives their perspective or solution to the problem. Their course content covers such a broad range that virtually any teacher can find inspiration for the solutions they are seeking in the space between the broad focus of a freshman writing course and the specificity of a science course.I gave this book five stars, but it's a six on a five point scale.

Book looks like new, I ordered to design my college class of psychology. Can’t wait to read it

Wonderful book filled with examples. Helps you understand how to go from adding a little problem-based learning into your classroom on up to running the whole class that way. Gives you options and choices.

The book is direct and to the point, with practical issues to consider. This book is useful for college educators.