University of California, Irvine
PBL Faculty Institute

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Hewlett Foundation


  		     

Winter 2000 PBL Institute Syllabus

 

Pre-Institute Assignment

  • Readings about PBL (see Bibliography)
  • Participants describe the course they will teach using PBL
  • Write first draft of a case problem for this course and send to IRC.
 

Week 1: What Do We Need to Know? 1/14/00

  • Getting to know you-introductions and sharing primary concerns
  • Handout with questions about PBL culled by facilitators from course description surveys and first drafts
  • Meet in groups to begin to address questions
  • Instructional Strategies Pre-Survey administered/explained
 

Week 2: Meet the Expert 1/21/00

  • Presentation in Institute meeting by Deborah Allen, Samford University PBL expert
  • Groups of participants work together on sample PBL problems, get student perspective
  • Question and answer session with Dr. Allen about PBL implementation
 

Week 4: Trying it Out (Case Problem Revision Part 1) 2/4/00

  • Groups discuss possible collaborative roles appropriate for PBL tasks and assign roles to one another (e.g., recorder, facilitator, timekeeper, etc.)
  • Groups work on three problem drafts provided by institute participants
  • Brainstorm possible solution strategies from student perspective
  • Goal: How does actually trying to work on the problem enlighten what needs to be changed? (e.g., clarity, order of tasks, level of background provided, etc.)
 

Week 6: All About Groups 2/18/00

  • Participants use jigsaw method of group collaboration to address three issues: (1) timesaving in monitoring and evaluating PBL, (2) convening transient and permanent PBL groups, and (3) assessing collaborative processes and products.
  • Participants draw up list of 10 "best practice" strategies they will use
 

Week 8: Peer Feedback (Case Problem Revision Part 2) 3/3/00

  • Prior to meeting, participants send most recent problem drafts to assigned feedback partners.
  • Meet in foursomes (2 faculty/TA dyads) to discuss each other's problems, comments and suggestions for improvement.
 

Week 10: Poster Session 3/17/00

  • Catered breakfast and visits by UC Irvine VIPs (Dean and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education; Staff from Research, Evaluation, and Grants)
  • Participants display posters containing their final case problems, course syllabi, logistics of grading and collaborative groups, plans for PBL implementation, etc.
    • view posters and pictures from the event
    • view PBL problems designed by participants
  • End-of-Institute Evaluation administered