So You’re Thinking of Trying Problem Based Learning?: Three Critical Success Factors for Implementation

Abstract

Problem-based learning (PBL) shifts the traditional teaching paradigm. Rather than being teacher centered, PBL is student centered. Rather than presenting content first, PBL presents the problem first. Rather than presenting the students with a well-structured problem with a clear answer, PBL presents the students with an ill-structured problem with no clear solution. The research evidence, although still limited, indicates that PBL is more effective than the traditional teaching paradigm. However, to implement PBL successfully requires significant rethinking. The article examines three critical success factors essential for making PBL successful in management education. Those critical success factors are orienting students to this new instructional strategy, picking the problem, and forming the teams. The author shares his experiences using PBL and an instrument he has found useful in forming the teams.