The impact of problem-based learning on engineering students’ beliefs about physics and conceptual understanding of energy and momentum

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of problem-based learning (PBL) on freshmen engineering students’ beliefs about physics and physics learning (referred to as epistemological beliefs) and conceptual understanding of physics. The multiple-choice test of energy and momentum concepts and the Colorado learning attitudes about science survey were used to collect the data. The sample consisted of 142 students enrolled in the PBL and traditional lecture classes in the engineering faculty of a state university in Turkey. The analyses showed that the PBL group obtained significantly higher conceptual learning gains than the traditional group and the change (improvement) in the PBL group students’ beliefs from the pre- to post test were significantly larger than that of the traditional group. The results revealed that beliefs were correlated with conceptual understanding. Suggestions are presented regarding the implementation of the PBL approach.     

PBL教学模式在大学物理教学中的探索

在大学物理教学中,PBL教学模式值得我们探索与使用。从大学物理PBL教学模式的实践来看,三维教学目标的制定要符合学生实际情况,问题情境的设置要来源于生活实际,教学过程要重视学生的讨论、总结和反思。     

Enhanced learning through design problems – teaching a components-based course through design

This paper describes a teaching method used in an electrical machines course, where the students learn about electrical machines by designing them. The aim of the course is not to teach design, albeit this is a side product, but rather to teach the fundamentals and the function of electrical machines through design. The teaching method is evaluated by a student questionnaire, designed to measure the quality and effectiveness of the teaching method. The results of the questionnaire conclusively show that this method labelled ‘learning through design’ is a very effective way of teaching a components-based course. This teaching method can easily be generalised and used in other courses.     

基于问题式学习教学模式的探究与实践

在工程力学的课堂教学中,运用基于问题式学习的教学模式,把学生设置到复杂、有意义的工程问题情境中,通过理论学习、查阅资料、小组讨论、合作完成问题的分析、研究与解答,有效地改变了以往学习工程力学时,学生大多处于被动和应付的状态;摆脱了从理论到理论,理论脱离实际的模式;培养了学生理论联系实际、独立分析、团结协作、解决实际工程问题的能力。     

Student experience of a scenario-centred curriculum

In 2006 UCL implemented new scenario-centred degree programmes in Civil and Environmental Engineering. The new curriculum can be characterised as a hybrid of problem-based, project-based and traditional approaches to learning. Four times a year students work in teams for one week on a scenario which aims to integrate learning from lecture and laboratory classes and to develop generic skills including team working and communication. Student experience of the first two years the old and new curricula were evaluated using a modified Course Experience Questionnaire. The results showed that students on the new programme were motivated by the scenarios and perceived better generic skills development, but had a lower perception of teaching quality and the development of design skills. The results of the survey support the implementation new curriculum but highlight the importance of strong integration between conventional teaching and scenarios, and the challenges of adapting teaching styles to suit.     

How to promote knowledge transfer through a problem-based learning Internet platform for vocational high school students

This study aimed to explore how vocational high school students transfer knowledge through a problem-based learning (PBL) Internet platform. A PBL Internet platform was provided to 33 sophomore mechanical engineering students for a 6-week teaching experiment. A survey questionnaire, observation and interview were research instruments. The findings include: 1) factual, conceptual and process knowledge are the major types of knowledge and the sources of knowledge transfer (KT) include students, instructors and industries, but may be acquired differently depending on the level of problem-solving needs; 2) students’ KT includes highly experienced tacit knowledge and more concrete explicit knowledge; 3) students’ attitudes toward the six domains of using the PBL Internet platform all show positive significance, including the platform, the platform instructors, the platform mobility, online interaction, the PBL and the platform interface mechanism of students’ perceptions; 4) the capability and the willingness for KT in instructors, industries and students all have some impact on the effectiveness of KT.     

基于问题的学习对大班幼儿元认知发展的影响

本研究以深圳市某幼儿园76名大班幼儿为被试,采用等组前后测实验设计,实验班实施PBL教学,对照班实施传统教学,探讨基于问题的学习对幼儿元认知能力发展的影响。结果表明实验班幼儿后测元认知得分与对照班存在显著差异,即PBL教学有效促进了幼儿元认知能力的发展;实验前后,实验班幼儿在元认知总分以及元认知知识、元认知体验、元认知监控上的得分均存在显著差异,可以说PBL教学促进了幼儿元认知的全面发展。这可能是因为PBL教学通过创设问题情境、对问题进行分析讨论以及自主学习和小组合作等方式,促进了幼儿元认知能力的全面发展。     

基于问题的学习模式在教育心理学课程教学中的应用

“基于问题的学习”（PBL）以情境性的、结构不良问题为核心,以描述与定义问题为导向,构成自己独特的学习过程模型,其问题对学习者的学习发挥导向、监控和评价功能。PBL模式在教育心理学课程中的应用需分析外部情境条件、学习者内部条件和问题特征等因素,与传统教学相比,PBL尤其关注师生关系的定位,重视学生之间的交流与合作,强调学生对知识生成过程的体验。