Table I

Description of the types of PBL

TypeDescriptionChallenge
PBLIt is a learning environment in which the problem is presented before the students obtain new knowledgeTo provide students a more effective opportunity to develop problem-solving skills
 Helps students create knowledge structures that will help them apply what was learned to future situationsTo facilitate the development of suggestions or clues and a more appropriate knowledge structure
Self-directed PBLEmpowers students through learning tasks. They choose the topics, create the learning objectives and criteria, contact members of the group to learn and teach parts of an unknown activity, teach others, develop and self-assess their learning progressTo make students more responsible
 Empowers students by allowing them to share in the assessment processTo develop students’ self-assessment skills and provide an opportunity for the teacher to monitor and conduct the assessment
Small-group PBLUses a learning environment in which students are active and cooperative. There is a clearly defined deadline for tasks, with rapid feedback, as well as catalysis of the student’s learning styleTo create a small-group learning environment that actually incorporates the elements that describe it
 Incorporates principles of self-directed PBL and a process of self-assessment to create an environment for more in-depth learningTo explicitly develop lifelong learning skills such as teamwork, self-direction, teaching skills, self-assessment and communication

Source: Prepared by the authors based on Woods (2006) 

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