Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
10:26
Problem-Solving Before Instruction (PS-I): A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
Published on: September 11, 2021
Impact of problem-based learning in a large classroom setting: student perception and problem-solving skills.
Andis Klegeris1, Heather Hurren
1Department of Biology, University of British Columbia Okanagan, Kelowna, Canada. andis.klegeris@ubc.ca
Advances in Physiology Education
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Problem-based learning (PBL) in large undergraduate classes significantly boosts student motivation and understanding of complex topics. This approach enhances problem-solving skills, offering a valuable alternative to traditional lectures.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry Education
- Pedagogical Innovation
Background:
- Problem-based learning (PBL) is effective in small groups, but its benefits in large undergraduate settings are under-researched.
- Traditional lectures may not fully engage students or optimize learning of complex scientific processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the educational benefits of implementing PBL in large undergraduate biochemistry classes.
- To assess the impact of PBL on student motivation, content understanding, and problem-solving skills.
Main Methods:
- A tutorless PBL approach was integrated as a supplement to didactic lectures for 45-85 undergraduate students.
- Student attendance, informal/formal surveys, and performance metrics were used to monitor outcomes.
Main Results:
- PBL significantly increased student motivation to attend and participate in coursework.
- Students reported improved understanding and retention of biochemical and physiological processes compared to lectures.
- Problem-solving skills showed significant improvement, though further controlled studies are recommended.
Conclusions:
- PBL can be effectively implemented in large undergraduate classes to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
- This pedagogical approach shows promise for improving motivation and comprehension in biochemistry education.
- Further research is needed to quantify the specific contribution of PBL to skill development in large-class settings.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Impact: Problem Solving
In an experiment conducted during a Mars mission, a rover propels a projectile with an initial velocity, and the projectile rebounds after colliding with the Martian surface. To ascertain the maximum height attained by the projectile after this collision, the known restitution coefficient and acceleration due to gravity are employed.
By designating the launch point as the origin and utilizing kinematic equations, the vertical component of the projectile's velocity at the point of impact is...
By designating the launch point as the origin and utilizing kinematic equations, the vertical component of the projectile's velocity at the point of impact is...
01:29Problem-Solving
Effective problem-solving consists of two steps: 1. identifying the problem and 2. selecting the appropriate problem-solving strategy (i.e., a plan of action used to find a solution). Humans use four problem-solving strategies:
02:32Solving Problems in Physics
Problem-solving is the ability to apply general physical principles to specific situations, usually expressed by equations. It is an essential skill in physics, and can also be useful for applying physics in everyday life as well. Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities can be applied to new situations, compared to a list of facts, which can never be extensive enough to include every possible circumstance. To solve physics problems, a certain amount of creativity and insight is...
01:21Cognitive Learning
Cognitive learning is based on purposive behavior, incidental learning, and insight learning.
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
01:15Principal Stresses: Problem Solving
When analyzing two planes intersecting at right angles under the influence of shearing, tensile, and compressive stresses, it is essential to identify principal planes, maximum shearing stress, and principal stresses. To find the principal planes, apply a formula that equates them to twice the shearing stress divided by the difference between tensile and compressive stresses.
01:30Method of Sections: Problem Solving II
Consider an arbitrary truss structure composed of diagonal, vertical, and horizontal members fixed to the wall. To calculate the force acting on members CB, GB, and GH, method of sections can be used. The loads and lengths of the horizontal and vertical members are known parameters, as shown in the figure.