How theory and design-based research can mature PBL practice and research

Diana H. J. M. Dolmans*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Many educational institutions in higher education switched to problem-based learning (PBL) in the last 5 decades. Despite its' successful implementation worldwide, many institutions still encounter problems in their daily teaching practices that limit deep learning in students. This raises the question: How else can we look at PBL practice and research? The main argument of this reflective paper is to better align PBL practice with the theories or principles of contextual, constructive, self-directed and collaborative learning. This paper explains what these principles or theories are. In addition, it discusses a new way to bridge theory and practice: design-based research (DBR), which combines redesigning theory-based teaching practices with investigating these practices in close collaboration with various stakeholders. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to address the problems encountered in PBL. We should be very careful in drawing conclusions about which PBL approach works best. No single solution works optimally under all conditions. At most, DBR can help us gain better insight into why PBL with certain characteristics, preferably based on theory, might work in a specific context with particular goals in mind.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)879-891
Number of pages13
JournalAdvances in Health Sciences Education
Volume24
Issue number5
Early online date13 Nov 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2019

Keywords

  • Problem-based learning
  • Design-based research
  • Learning theories
  • MEDICAL-EDUCATION
  • INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
  • LEARNING BELIEFS
  • STUDENTS
  • METAANALYSIS
  • RETHINKING
  • CHALLENGES
  • PRINCIPLES
  • SUPPORT
  • WORK

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