This paper describes a revised teacher training program that includes Internet-based learning materials, thus demonstrating the dual mode system in which both off- and on-campus studies are integrated. The first section discusses the changing role of the teacher, including traditional teacher education and new challenges imposed by technology. The…

Working on an open-ended task such as designing an engineering artifact is a rich learning experience for students, although they generally receive little direct guidance and instruction from their professors. In order to be successful on such a task, students need to set reasonable goals for themselves and adopt intrinsic standards for success so…

Describes and analyzes an effort to introduce problem-based learning (PBL) into a Chinese cultural setting--an educational administration course at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Discusses tensions between Eastern students' perceptions of teachers as "wise persons" and a Western discovery-learning philosophy, ameliorative…

Considers how school library media specialists can collaborate with teachers to transform conventional topical units into problem-based projects and gives examples from classrooms in Hawaii. Highlights include focusing on real-life problems; seeking and using information for the projects; hands-on learning; student roles in making decisions; and…

An Australian distance-learning college course for women uses problem-based learning to refresh their study skills, since many are rural adults that have been away from school for some time. Metacognitive and reflective cycles activate student thinking patterns, and assigned activities complement and reinforce awareness of those skills. (TD)

Advances a line of research that investigates the potential of hypermedia resources and scaffolding for supporting problem-based social studies and developing critical reasoning. The line of inquiry consists of a series of generative design experiments that informs problem-based curriculum development. The experiments examined 11th grade U.S.…

A graduate pharmacy course in experimental design for clinical research is described. Students work in groups to design clinically feasible, statistically valid studies on assigned problems. Individual students also perform statistical analyses on data sets generated from similar clinical studies conducted by faculty. Observations about grading…

Describes a computer-based clinical simulation for medical education that incorporated problem-based learning and reports on a field-based study that implemented this approach with first-year medical students. Questions designed to bridge the gap between clinical skills and conceptual science knowledge provided a context for collaborative…

Describes the Network-Based Instructional Systems Development model for developing Web-based virtual training courses that incorporate social interaction and collaborative learning strategies in a self-directed learning environment within a Korean corporate context. Topics include problem-based learning; constructivism; resource-based learning;…

A study investigated the concerns of 24 South African nursing students enrolled in a problem-centered, community-based training program. Results indicated most were not troubled by the problem-centered approach but were less positive about the community-based nature of the course. Most negative perceptions decreased over the three-month period of…

Describes the transformation of the philosophy of the teacher education program at the University of South Africa from a traditional, fundamental pedagogical approach to a pluralistic problem-centered approach that encourages trainees to develop their own creative potential. Course outlines and anticipated outcomes are included. (Author/MSE)

Recommends that teachers prompt intellectual preparation of adolescents by asking intriguing questions, presenting captivating tasks, opening compelling investigations, or assigning appealing roles. Discusses discipline-based inquiry by young students in science, mathematics, social studies, English, and the fine arts. Challenges teachers to…

Belief in a "web of support" helped a San Diego-area high school make structural adjustments that foster inclusion while challenging all students. Inclusive curriculum design requires planners to develop a central issue or question, identify richly detailed source material, and design a culminating project and interrelated lessons. (MLH)

The term "game-based learning" has emerged as a general name for the use of computer games in education. Despite early work showing rich inferential learning taking place as a result of gameplay, most game-based learning has been geared towards using a game as a host into which curricular content can be embedded. This approach can be problematic,…

This article describes how online discussion groups and visual collaboration can be used in combination to build and support a virtual community of learners. Data derived from several online discussion groups are presented, and the support needs of learners are highlighted as a key factor of success. (Contains 1 figure.)