Instructional design/Generate PBL Problems/1.3 Real-life problems

Click here to return to the page of "Generate PBL Problems"

Comparison
Assume you were a high school student again, which way do you prefer to learn geometry?

Reflection
More possibly, you prefer the way on the right, why? Because working on a design contract competition gives you the opportunity to apply your geometry knowledge into a REAL LIFE PROBLEM. Students are more engaged in solving real life problems because this learning experience:
 * activates students’ prior knowledge and skills
 * has students see the relevance of the knowledge to their life
 * leads to a deep understanding of concepts
 * allows students to apply their new learned knowledge right away into a real world context

Examples
To enhance students’ motivation, PBL utilizes real life problems. Below are several more examples of real life problems (statements in the parenthesis are corresponding non-examples)
 * 1) Have students make personal financial plans (instead of having them just memorize various financial management terms and principles).
 * 2) Have students tell directions or locate places by constellations (instead of having them merely recognize constellations on a sky map).
 * 3) Have students write reviews on new released movies and post their works online (instead of just talking about theories of film appreciation).

Quiz
{PBL uses real life problems because(there are more than one answers): +Students are more engaged in solving real life problems. +Students will achieve a deep understanding of concepts in solving real life problems. +Students can see close connections between the knowledge and themselves. +Students will learn how to apply their knowledge into the real world.
 * type="[]"}

{Which one below is a real life problem? -What is the wavelength range of ultraviolet? -What percent of mid-range ultraviolet can be blocked by the ozone layer? +How to effectively prevent skin cancer caused by UVB radiation? -How many subtypes of ultraviolet light have been identified by the draft ISO standard on determining solar irradiances (ISO-DIS-21348)?
 * type="[]"}
 * the correct selection is a problem that is related to everybody's life.

Click here to return to the page of "Generate PBL Problems"