Is problem-based learning suitable for engineering?

Abstract

The benefits of problem-based learning (PBL) are relatively well established in domains such as medicine but its efficacy in engineering is as yet less certain. This was investigated during a three-day workshop which was conducted for senior Brazilian engineering academics where they were presented with the theory and then an immersive PBL experience. One major purpose for running this workshop was for them to identify suitable courses where PBL could be considered. The participants were split in teams and given a diverse range of problems. At the conclusion of the workshop, a quantitative survey was conducted and the results show that PBL can deliver superior educational outcomes providing the student group is drawn from the top 5–20% of the year 12 students, and that significantly higher resources are made available. Thus, any proposed PBL programme in engineering must be able to demonstrate that it can meet these requirements before it can move forward to implementation.

Keywords:

• Engineering education
• PBL
• problem-based learning

Acknowledgement

Thanks also to Pro-rector Marcello Embirucu of the Federal University of Bahia for support of this PBL training program in Brazil.