Students' perception of a modified form of PBL using concept mapping

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Problem-based learning (PBL) and concept mapping foster active and meaningful learning.
• Traditional PBL methods may not fully optimize student engagement and skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and evaluate a novel 5-phase PBL method incorporating concept mapping.
• To assess students' perceptions of this modified PBL approach compared to a conventional method.

Main Methods:

• A 5-phase PBL method was developed, featuring three distinct mapping phases aligned with learning stages.
• Students experienced both the modified 5-phase PBL and a conventional 7-step PBL method.
• A questionnaire evaluated student perceptions across four learning domains.

Main Results:

• The 5-phase PBL method received significantly higher ratings than the 7-step method across all questionnaire items.
• Students reported enhanced passion for learning with the 5-phase approach.

Conclusions:

• The 5-phase PBL method effectively promotes cognitive, metacognitive, and interpersonal skills.
• This innovative PBL approach is perceived favorably by students, enhancing their learning experience.