Problem-Based Learning Diagnosis in Computing Higher Education: An Overview from Brazilian Public Institutions

Area of Science:

• Educational Technology
• Computer Science Education
• Pedagogical Innovation

Background:

• Traditional Computing Higher Education (CHE) faces challenges with student motivation and dropout.
• Problem-Based Learning (PBL) offers a pedagogical innovation to enhance educational performance.
• Implementing PBL presents significant challenges requiring institutional readiness assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an institutional diagnostic model for assessing readiness to implement Problem-Based Learning (PBL) in Computing Higher Education.
• To identify key factors influencing successful PBL adoption within technical and academic computing institutions.

Main Methods:

• An opinion survey was conducted across 38 technical and 15 academic computing institutions.
• The survey involved 302 participants from technical institutions and 20 from academic institutions.
• A proposed institutional diagnostic model was applied to analyze survey data.

Main Results:

• The diagnostic model effectively identified favorable, warning, and critical points for PBL adoption.
• The study provided insights into institutional preparedness for PBL implementation in CHE.
• Results indicate varying levels of readiness across different types of computing educational institutions.

Conclusions:

• The developed model is a valuable tool for institutions considering PBL adoption in Computing Higher Education.
• Understanding institutional readiness is crucial for mitigating challenges and maximizing the benefits of PBL.
• Further research can refine the model and explore its application in diverse educational contexts.