An Essay on Critical Analysis of Problem-Based Learning Strategies

This essay provides a critical analysis of problem-based learning (PBL) in contemporary education, focusing on its implementation, benefits, and challenges. It includes a background study with survey data collected from students, both current and former, regarding their preferred learning methods. The survey results indicate a general preference for activity-based learning, but also highlight concerns about its suitability for all students, particularly those who may struggle with self-directed learning. The analysis explores the effectiveness of PBL in developing collaborative skills and promoting deeper understanding, especially in subjects like arts and chemistry. The essay concludes that while PBL is a valuable approach, teachers should provide support and alternative methods to ensure all students benefit, suggesting strategies like buddy systems and individualized guidance. The essay emphasizes the importance of balancing innovative teaching methods with the needs of diverse learners.

Running head: CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Critical Analysis
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

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Abstract
The modern academic scenario is changing day by day. In this 21st century, the teaching
method is also changing day by day. The teachers no longer believe in spoon-feeding the
children. Mugging up then lessons blindly does not really help the students in the long run. The
students have to be self-sufficient in the long run. They have to develop the self-analytical and
the problem-solving skills. It is this self-critical and the self-analytical skills that will prepare
them properly in the long run. Earlier the teachers believed in explaining the sums to the students
or the lessons to the student and then asking them to solve the exercises. This helps the students
to pass in the examinations for the time being but in the future, they might suffer when are to
answer something or perform some of the very tough imaginative tasks. They often depend on
someone rather than finding out the solutions on their own. Problem-based learning must be
implemented in each and every classroom so that the students can develop proper collaborative
skills.
Introduction
In the modern day scenario, the teachers are trying their level best to develop the self-
analytical and self-critical skills among their students. This is because the method or problem-
based learning helps the students to become very self-dependent. In the major scenario there
exists this problem that students often become too much dependent upon others for solving their
problems. They lack the essential skills and talents that are needed for group work. They often
fail to team up with their friends and work together by following the process of knowledge
sharing. The teacher must guide them but at the same time, they must let the students develop the
strategic methods of collaboratively learning their lessons.

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Background Study
As this concept of incorporating the problem based or the activity-based learning is
student-centered, the student's opinion must be the most important aspect of this case. This is
because this approach might not be liked by many of the students as they may feel that they are
of an average IQ and intelligence. So, developing strategies on their own and studying through
the problem based or the activity-based learning method is for the students who are very
intelligent and does not need the help of their teachers every now and then. Some students feel
that they lack the quality of developing strategic learning methods. The opinion of the students
was collected through some of the survey questions. About 12 members were asked to complete
a survey form where they had to give their opinions regarding their preferred ways of learning.
Among these 12 members, some were present school goers whereas some were pass outs. This
would help to get the views of those students who are now into colleges or into some
professionals and have some opinions on the ways of teaching that they had while they were in
school and the changes that they want to be incorporated.
Result
1.
Age Number of students voting
for each option
<20 60
20 to 40 40

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>40 0
2.
gender Number of students voting
for each option
Male 50
Female 50
Prefer not to say 0
3.
Questions options Number of students voting
for each option
How did you learn
mathematics at school
A 2
B 1
c 8
4.

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Questions options Number of students
voting for each option
How did you learn
chemistry at school
A 1
B 1
c 10
5.
Questions options Number of students
voting for each option
How did you learn art
at school
A 1
B 9
c 2
6.
Questions options number of students
voting for each option
Problem-based
learning is tough for
less skilled pupils
A. Totally agree 2
B. Partially agree 5

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C. neither agree
nor disagree
2
D. Partially
disagree
2
E. totally
disagree
1

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7.
Questions options number of students
voting for each option
Problem-based
learning is time-
consuming and less
efficient than
traditional classroom
learning
A. Totally agree 4
B. Partially agree 4
C. neither agree nor
disagree
2
D. Partially disagree 3
e. totally disagree 4
8.
Questions options Number of students
voting for each option
Problem-based
learning is more
effective than
structured exercises
a. Totally agree 7
b. Partially agree 1
c. neither agree nor 1

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disagree
d. Partially disagree 1
e. totally disagree 2
Who did the survey
The survey was mainly completed by students who are studying in schools and also some
of the students who have already passed school levels and are enrolled in some university course
or professional lives.
Table of data and summary of results, descriptive statistics
It is seen from all the tables that majority of the members who completed the survey are
in favor of the problem based or the activity based form of teaching. However, as it is a very new
concept people are in some kinds of doubts. They do not think that the system is bad. They are
just concerned about the fact that not all the students will be equally benefitted from this system.
There are students who are less intelligent and are of an average IQ. They might be very tensed
and frustrated about this problem-based learning system. They might take some more time in
finding out the ideas or some unique strategies to learn the lessons in their own way. Some, they
might suffer from the inferiority complex when they see that the more intelligent students are
able to solve the questions or the in-class activities very fast and easily. So, they might want their

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teachers to teach them in the normal traditional methods of learning. On the other hand, many
other students were of this opinion that this activity based learning is one of the most innovative
and useful methods of learning. This helps the students to learn the lessons in their own ways. As
the students are let free to develop strategic methods of learning they learn how to work in
groups and develop the qualities of group work. They learn how to follow the method of
knowledge sharing and cooperating with one another. Arts are one such subject where the
students have shown a huge preference for problem-based or activity-based learning. The
students want to explore their style of imagination and creativity. So is the case with chemistry.
The students want to explore the scientific ways and the experimentations in their own way. It
has also been seen from those students who have already passed put school that the problem-
based method of learning is very useful. As far as their opinion is concerned, they have faced a
lot of problem in their college and professional level. This is because they never developed the
method of activity-based learning. They have realized that at the college and professional level,
they were grouped into various groups and teams. So, they suffered as they did not have this
activity based learning system. So, they want their future generation to learn through this
method. When the students are allowed to explore their creativity and imagination, they learn
better and the lessons stay within their minds for a long time.
Conclusion
Thereby it can be concluded that the problem-based learning system is one of the most
effective ways of learning. In order to assure the less intelligent student, the teachers must keep
many supportive and alternative methods. They must give ample time and guidance to those
students. Buddy system can also be created in order to provide proper support to those students.

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References
Bcsdschools.net. 2018. [online] Available at:
https://www.bcsdschools.net/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?
moduleinstanceid=14979&dataid=701&FileName=APB%20Learning.pdf [Accessed 11 Apr.
2018].
Prodigy Blog. 2018. Advantages & Disadvantages of Problem-Based Learning. [online]
Available at: https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/advantages-disadvantages-problem-based-
learning/ [Accessed 11 Apr. 2018].