Describes the GlobalEd project, which employs a technology-rich environment for high school students to participate in a simulation of international relations and negotiation via the Internet. Reports participants' changes in academic and technology self-efficacy skills and the use of educational technology and discusses results in terms of…

Clinical scenarios used in rural medical education often convey inappropriate stereotypes that undermine the intent of the curriculum. Case writers should be clear about the learning or assessment objectives in each case, have access to people with appropriate expertise and understanding of the issues, and ensure that contextual and cultural…

Discusses the limited exposure many preservice teacher programs have regarding innovative uses for technology in the classroom. Describes the use of a WebCT-based virtual field trip to an elementary school, using constructivist theory as a framework, to help preservice teachers rethink traditional instruction. (Author/LRW)

Examines the redesign of a problem-based learning (PBL) course and its effects on students' cognitive learning outcomes in a college business course in the Netherlands. Compares the regular PBL course with the new authentic learning environment that included greater authenticity of case studies, more learner control, and social collaboration that…

Presents longitudinal analyses of the mathematical achievement and beliefs of three groups of elementary pupils. The groups were designated according to those students who had received two years of problem-centered mathematics instruction, those who had received one year, and those who had received textbook instruction. Results indicate that the…

Introduces major assumptions and theory surrounding problem-based learning (PBL) used in Stanford University's educational leadership program. Reviews instructional delivery, explains students' role in knowledge production, and illustrates the program's relationship to practitioners and the field. Use of PBL materials inspired significantly higher…

This article describes how Problem-Based Learning (PBL) was used to help prospective teachers (1) define various disabilities; (2) learn teaching strategies for inclusion settings; and (3) value collaboration with other professionals. Quantitative and qualitative data on the PBL experience of 44 preservice teachers support the use of PBL in the…

The Pennsylvania College of Optometry's experience in implementing problem-based learning, usually used in small classes, in a large group instructional situation in a traditional, subject-based optometric curriculum is described. Development of a modified approach, simulated patient problems, weekly quizzes, patient notes, large- and small-group…

Describes a small-group, problem-based tutorial that was developed at Harvard Medical School. Topics discussed include recruiting and training faculty members for problem-based tutoring; students' ratings of tutors; students' written narratives; a survey of tutors' perspectives; and tutor effectiveness. (LRW)

Demonstrates how tutors within a problem-based curriculum can be evaluated and provided with adequate feedback about their performance to improve their behavior. Focuses on plans for action that could be undertaken with regard to aspects of a faculty development program. (LZ)

Performance by University of New Mexico students on the National Board of Medical Examiners exam was compared for two curriculum tracks, conventional (n=508) and problem-centered (n=167). Results suggest that the more teacher-centered and structured curriculum prepared students better for Part I of the exam, and the student-centered, problem-based…

A survey by the European Pharmaceutical Students' Committee of its member countries investigated the extent of problem-based learning, the effectiveness of examinations for testing knowledge, role of English as the language of instruction, best teaching methods, and relationships with other health occupations. Results and a position statement are…

A survey of faculty (n=223) and students (n=157) in two different curriculum tracks (problem-based/student-centered primary care vs. regular) at one medical school gathered opinions on the methods and criteria of student evaluation. Differences occurred primarily in the perceptions of first- and second-year students in the problem-based…

Two eighth-grade teachers at a Georgia middle school recently redesigned their curriculum to emphasize problem-centered, hands-on learning projects focusing on issues relevant to students. To demonstrate what was learned, students and teachers employed various student projects assessed by using rubrics that define a wide range of acceptable and…

Utilizes the psychological and sociocultural components of a constructivist paradigm to provide a detailed analysis of how the cognitive constructions students make as they enumerate 3D arrays of cubes develop and change in an inquiry-based, problem-centered mathematics classroom. Describes the classroom work of three pairs of 5th-grade students…