Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum

Even though there are several variants in its implementation, problem-based learning (PBL) is essentially a form of student-centred learning that involves enquiry-based discussion triggered by a problem and facilitated by a tutor in small groups. In a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum where PBL runs...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sim, Si Mui, Lian, Lay Hoong, Kanthimathi, M.S., Thong, Meow Keong, Tan, Nget Hong
Format: Article
Published: 2011
Subjects:
_version_ 1825719408857710592
author Sim, Si Mui
Lian, Lay Hoong
Kanthimathi, M.S.
Thong, Meow Keong
Tan, Nget Hong
author_facet Sim, Si Mui
Lian, Lay Hoong
Kanthimathi, M.S.
Thong, Meow Keong
Tan, Nget Hong
author_sort Sim, Si Mui
collection UM
description Even though there are several variants in its implementation, problem-based learning (PBL) is essentially a form of student-centred learning that involves enquiry-based discussion triggered by a problem and facilitated by a tutor in small groups. In a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum where PBL runs parallel with conventional didactic teaching, there is always a concern that such curricular arrangement may produce undesirable learning behaviour. Therefore, this paper evaluated the students' perception and acceptance of PBL in such a learning environment. PBL was introduced in a gradual manner into the first three years of a revised undergraduate medical curriculum at the University of Malaya (UM) in 1999/2000. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to students of Phases I, II (first two preclinical years) and IIIA (first of the three clinical years) after completing their respective final examination papers. The study compared the responses of at least nine cohorts of students (2001 to 2009) on questions related to PBL. Students were asked to respond to each question based on their own experience using a 5-point Likert scale. Across the board, progressively over the years, students from all the phases reported an improvement in their critical thinking, integration of knowledge, appreciation of understanding rather than merely memorising facts, communication skills, and braveness to counter-propose opinions. The effects were more obvious with Phase I students compared with students from the other two phases. Written comments from the students also showed a shift from resistance and outright call for the abolishment of PBL tutorials, to positive call to increase PBL tutorials.
first_indexed 2024-03-06T05:19:17Z
format Article
id um.eprints-7676
institution Universiti Malaya
last_indexed 2024-03-06T05:19:17Z
publishDate 2011
record_format dspace
spelling um.eprints-76762019-10-24T04:23:59Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/7676/ Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum Sim, Si Mui Lian, Lay Hoong Kanthimathi, M.S. Thong, Meow Keong Tan, Nget Hong R Medicine Even though there are several variants in its implementation, problem-based learning (PBL) is essentially a form of student-centred learning that involves enquiry-based discussion triggered by a problem and facilitated by a tutor in small groups. In a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum where PBL runs parallel with conventional didactic teaching, there is always a concern that such curricular arrangement may produce undesirable learning behaviour. Therefore, this paper evaluated the students' perception and acceptance of PBL in such a learning environment. PBL was introduced in a gradual manner into the first three years of a revised undergraduate medical curriculum at the University of Malaya (UM) in 1999/2000. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to students of Phases I, II (first two preclinical years) and IIIA (first of the three clinical years) after completing their respective final examination papers. The study compared the responses of at least nine cohorts of students (2001 to 2009) on questions related to PBL. Students were asked to respond to each question based on their own experience using a 5-point Likert scale. Across the board, progressively over the years, students from all the phases reported an improvement in their critical thinking, integration of knowledge, appreciation of understanding rather than merely memorising facts, communication skills, and braveness to counter-propose opinions. The effects were more obvious with Phase I students compared with students from the other two phases. Written comments from the students also showed a shift from resistance and outright call for the abolishment of PBL tutorials, to positive call to increase PBL tutorials. 2011 Article PeerReviewed Sim, Si Mui and Lian, Lay Hoong and Kanthimathi, M.S. and Thong, Meow Keong and Tan, Nget Hong (2011) Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum. Journal of Medical Education, 15 (4). pp. 361-371. ISSN 1028-2424, http://www.airitilibrary.com/Publication/alDetailedMesh/?docid=10282424-201112-201206110004-201206110004-361-371
spellingShingle R Medicine
Sim, Si Mui
Lian, Lay Hoong
Kanthimathi, M.S.
Thong, Meow Keong
Tan, Nget Hong
Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum
title Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum
title_full Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum
title_fullStr Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum
title_full_unstemmed Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum
title_short Students perception and acceptance of problem-based learning (PBL) in a hybrid traditional-PBL curriculum
title_sort students perception and acceptance of problem based learning pbl in a hybrid traditional pbl curriculum
topic R Medicine
work_keys_str_mv AT simsimui studentsperceptionandacceptanceofproblembasedlearningpblinahybridtraditionalpblcurriculum
AT lianlayhoong studentsperceptionandacceptanceofproblembasedlearningpblinahybridtraditionalpblcurriculum
AT kanthimathims studentsperceptionandacceptanceofproblembasedlearningpblinahybridtraditionalpblcurriculum
AT thongmeowkeong studentsperceptionandacceptanceofproblembasedlearningpblinahybridtraditionalpblcurriculum
AT tanngethong studentsperceptionandacceptanceofproblembasedlearningpblinahybridtraditionalpblcurriculum