The third annual conference of the National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL) was held at Trinity College Dublin on 11-12 November 2009, and was attended by over 300 delegates. The theme--"Research-Teaching Linkages: Practice and Policy"--was timely and generated some fascinating papers, workshops and…

While some geographers have embraced active learning as a means to engage students in a course, many others stick to conventional teaching methods. They are often deterred by suggestions that it can be difficult to implement active learning where students have no prior knowledge of a subject, that active learning requires too much work of…

The central argument of this book is that the potential of problem-based learning is yet to be realized in higher education. Problem-based learning is an important approach to learning, based in the experiential learning tradition, that needs to be more centrally located in higher education curricula. Part 1 of this book explores problem-based…

The role lectures play in problem-based learning was studied. The hypothesis was that lecture quality would have a positive influence on the time students would spend in study, that it would increase intrinsic interest in subject matter and would have a positive influence on achievement. Lecture quality would add to the other factors that play a…

Assessment of a problem-based bachelor of nursing program showed that transition to work was more successful when these strategies were used: holistic care, time management, prioritization of care, teamwork, and sophisticated clinical reasoning. (SK)

Discusses higher education's goal of teaching students to become independent critical thinkers and explores the theoretical background to the development of The Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking Tool (TICTT), an Internet tool based on a model that incorporates concepts from cognitive apprenticeship, problem-based learning, and critical thinking.…

Discusses the results of an experimental study in which university students used a collaborative learning tool in between regular meetings of a tutorial group in problem-based learning. Highlights include a model of asynchronous collaborative learning mechanisms; interactions; information processing; and social factors. (Author/LRW)

Outlines a conceptual framework for using a problem-based learning model for teaching the Instructional Design Business Acquisition Process. Discusses writing a response to a request for proposal, developing a working prototype, orally presenting the solution, and the impact of problem-based learning on students' perception of their confidence in…

A study involving 180 Australian nursing students and 41 clinical mentors evaluated a flexible delivery system rotating clinical practice with classroom/online courses involving problem-based learning. There was evidence of increased self-confidence, self-direction, and goal setting. Faculty, students, and mentors had concerns about assessment and…

Provides examples to aid in describing the transferable skills gained rather than rote memorization through the use of problem-based learning. Also demonstrates how the distance-learner (student with poor access to libraries and virtually no interaction with other students) can benefit from certain elements of a problem-based approach. (ZWH)

Problem-based learning emphasizes critical thinking and clinical judgment. Competency-based education focuses on clinical competence. A merger of the two in nursing education could generate higher levels of inquiry and more expert clinicians. (SK)

Discusses the problem-based learning format as it relates to the education of medical students. Describes key objectives in the education of physicians and questions how effective medical schools are in achieving those key objectives using a problem-based format. (CCM)

A professor and a student offer their views of problem-based learning as experienced in a University of Delaware undergraduate class in physiology. Vignettes of class activities and discussions are interspersed with a review of the history of and research on problem-based learning. (DB)

Having business students work on commissioned projects from external clients provides an opportunity for problem-based learning. Projects should provide coherent strategies for curriculum support, potential for integration, specification of learning outcomes, emphasis on process as well as product, and occasion for reflective practice. (SK)

At Linkoping University, medical education focused on problem-based learning was introduced, with an unchanged budget, but a new method of resource management. The point system for teaching and administrative tasks gives better control of resources and increases departments' motivation to participate. (SK)