Problem-Based Learning Strategies

If our students passively absorb info, we failed them. They need active, meaningful, enduring learning. We do that by increasing conceptual friction (nod to Jason Gulya). Students need challenges and complexities to increase Critical thinking, problem-solving, deeper understanding. ✅ 𝗧𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 #AI 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ➡️ Structured academic controversy Assign students different stances on an issue. Use AI to generate arguments for each side. ➡️ Predict-observe-explain (POE) activities Students predict outcomes, observe results, and explain observations. Use AI to simulate physical phenomena or historical events. Students test predictions and refine their understanding. ➡️ AI-generated prompts for critical thinking Generate complex, open-ended questions. Require students to apply knowledge in new ways. (Use Ruben Hassid Prompt Maker GPT to improve prompts.) ➡️ Interactive simulations and scenarios Create interactive simulations that mimic real-world scenarios. In a physics class, AI can simulate different frictional forces and their effects on motion, allowing students to experiment and observe outcomes in a controlled environment. ➡️ Analyzing AI responses Ask AI to write an essay or solve a problem. Students analyze and critique the AI responses. Identify errors, biases, and areas for improvement. ➡️ AI as a debate partner Use AI to simulate a debate partner. Help students practice argumentation skills. They respond to AI-generated counterarguments in real-time. ➡️ Scaffolded assignments Students use AI tools at different stages of their work. Brainstorm ideas, draft an outline, and refine final product. ➡️ Role-playing and simulations Simulate negotiations or market analysis. Provide a dynamic, interactive learning experience. Students and AI take on different roles in a simulated environment. ➡️ Feedback and revision cycles Provide instant feedback on student work. Encourage multiple revision cycles. ➡️ Ethical and societal implications Explore ethical and societal implications of decisions. Simulate the impact of different policies on society. ✅ 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ➡️ Co-create expectations With students, define appropriate use and how AI should be cited. ➡️ Encourage reflection After using AI, students reflect on their experiences: How they'll use AI differently in the future. How AI influenced their thinking. What they learned. ➡️ Provide support and resources Tutorials, help sessions, online resources. Explain how to use AI effectively and ethically. ------------------------- Thoughtfully integrate AI into your classroom to ⬆️ conceptual friction. Challenge students. Promote critical thinking. Prepare them for an AI-infused future. ------------------------- ♻️ 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝘀𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿

Genuinely curious... how have you used PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING in your L&D / training solutions? What has worked / not worked with this technique? Problem-based learning is when learners are simply given a realistic and relevant problem to solve, on their own or in a small group, along with access to resources to use. There is little to no lecture. The learning happens through the doing. It's the definition of learner-centric. It's also incredibly effective and generally results in a high level of both retention and transfer to the job. IMO it's underused. In using this technique myself, I found that the facilitator is key. And I'll stress the word, FACILITATOR. Because this person is NOT a presenter. Instead of standing at the front of the room. This person stands at the back. As learners work, the facilitator is a guide when they get stuck. But they are a guide who asks more questions than they give answers. Their goal and role is to help learners THINK and PRACTICE. Not spit out pre-determined answers. This can be difficult for traditional trainers who tend to enjoy the spotlight and/or went into L&D because they love to be the smartest in the room. So, have you used problem-based learning? What challenges have you encountered? What successes have you seen? Please share your stories! Let's learn from each other and get better together. #learninganddevelopment #training #talentdevelopment #leadershipdevelopment #problemsolving #application #momentofapply

🔴 If learners can’t apply it, they won’t remember it. Too many training programs focus on information instead of application. But knowledge without action doesn’t drive results. Instead, design learning that sticks by making it real-world relevant. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Start with real challenges. Ask: “What problems do learners face on the job?” Then, build training that helps them solve those problems. 2️⃣ Make practice look like reality. Ditch abstract exercises. Use: ✅ Case studies based on real work situations ✅ Branching scenarios with authentic decision-making ✅ Hands-on activities that mirror actual tasks 3️⃣ Encourage immediate application. Don’t just teach—get learners doing. ✅ Give action steps at the end of each lesson. ✅ Have learners apply skills to a real project. ✅ Use reflection prompts like: “How will you use this tomorrow?” 4️⃣ Measure success by performance, not completion. A completed course means nothing if behavior doesn’t change. Learning should solve real problems. If it doesn’t translate to the real world, it’s just noise. 🤔 How do you ensure your training leads to real-world application? ----------------------- 👋 Hi! I'm Elizabeth! ♻️ Share this post if you found it helpful. 👆 Follow me for more tips! 🤝 Reach out if you need a high-quality learning solution designed to engage learners and drive real change. #InstructionalDesign #RealWorldLearning #LearningThatWorks #LearningAndDevelopment

I'm back at the #WorldBank this week for the #YouthForum. This year's agenda features an innovation lab- a case challenge that requires participants to work with other delegates (almost all of whom they've never met before) to solve a real development challenge in less than 48 hours. When I first made my career pivot, I used to worry a lot about challenges like this because I often felt I would not know what I was doing. But I got quite a good amount of practice whilst at The Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School so whether you're in the #classof2025, making a #careerpivot or simply looking for a challenge outside of your regular life, I figured today's a good day to share my basic framework for approaching challenges with which I'm unfamiliar. B: Borrow belief from your previous experience. ↳Your degree was to prove that you've acquired the structured thinking frameworks of your industry; it's not meant to keep you in a box of the sorts of experiences you should open yourself up to. ↳If you can trust yourself to figure it out, you will. R: Reframe the problem clearly. ↳ What exactly is the problem? ↳ Think about it - when a patient comes to you and says "I have a headache," do you just give the first meds that come to your mind? Or do you hear a noisy car and decide automatically it's the carburetor? ↳ Intentionally ask questions to create a shared understanding of the problem. A: Assess potential causes. ↳ Now that you have a sense of the potential reasons for the problem, which are most likely? ↳ Here's the kicker - Always state your assumptions. It's not just so you look polished, it's so that in the event that your assumptions don't hold true, you will notice, or a teammate can point it out. ↳ Unspoken assumptions become law so always label yours. V: Value diverse perspectives. ↳ What other perspectives are available at the table? ↳ Never underestimate the value that your and others' unique life and experience stack bring to any challenge be it in a hospital, a corporate setting or in global development. ↳ Remember, these are human problems we're always solving- it's going to take a human who's lived it to guide the decisions. E: Experiment and iterate. ↳ Now pick one of those and start solving for it. ↳ Don't spend forever agonizing. ↳ Make peace with the fact that you may be wrong. In fact, I recommend you start out thinking you ARE wrong - it imbues you with a sense of humility and allows you to pivot quickly when you need to. ↳ Rinse and repeat as often as you need to. So whether you're at a case competition, starting a new role, or facing any unfamiliar challenge - Go be B.R.A.V.E 🍃 !

Want to make your eLearning truly stick? Start designing with purpose—not just piling on content. Here's how Merrill's Principles of Instruction can supercharge your eLearning: 1️⃣ Task-Centered Approach   ↳ Build courses around real-world problems   ↳ Use simulations and case studies   ↳ Show learners why it matters 2️⃣ Activation   ↳ Wake up that prior knowledge   ↳ Pre-assessments and interactive intros   ↳ Get those mental gears turning 3️⃣ Demonstration   ↳ Show, don't just tell   ↳ Leverage videos, tutorials, infographics   ↳ Multiple examples = deeper understanding 4️⃣ Application   ↳ Practice, practice, practice   ↳ Quizzes, exercises, role-playing   ↳ Instant feedback is key 5️⃣ Integration   ↳ Connect the dots to real life   ↳ Discussion forums and projects   ↳ Make it stick beyond the screen This isn't just theory. It's a game-changer for eLearning. ↳ More engagement ↳ Better knowledge retention ↳ Skills that actually transfer Are you using these principles in your courses? Which one makes the biggest impact?