A Problem Based Learning Approach to Address the Needs of Today's 21st Century Learner

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

My thanks go out to all who have helped me complete this study and with whom this project may have not been possible. In particular, my gratitude goes out to friends, facilitator and family for extensive and helpful comments on early drafts. I am also deeply indebted to the authors who have shared my interest and preceded me. Their works provided me with a host of information to learn from and build upon, also served as examples to emulate (Anderson, 2005).

DECLARATION

I, [names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University (Anderson, 2005).

Signed __________________ Date _________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTii

DECLARATIONiii

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Summary of Issues1

Larger Issues2

Research Question3

CHAPTER 2: PROBLEM STATEMENT4

Issue4

Specific Questions6

Context and Background6

Significance of the Study8

CHAPTER 3: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK9

Research Specifications9

Theoretical Framework9

Development of New Understandings of Teaching and Learning9

Growing Research Base Supporting Students As Active Participants in Learning Process10

Need to Prepare Students for the Digital World11

Key Constructs12

TESLA Network PBL12

Introduce the Driving Question12

Develop a Project Plan13

Formal Conference 1 with Facilitator15

Project Work15

Formal Conference 216

Write Formal Email16

Revise Project Based on Expert Feedback17

Formal Conference 3 with Facilitator17

Formal Facilitator Conference 417

Formal Project Presentation18

Formal Paper Writing18

Reflective Writing on Process18

Reflection19

Specific Terms19

Model20

CHAPTER 4: METHODOLOGY22

Research Plan24

Justification of the Research Method25

Link between Research Method, Research Question and Conceptual Framework26

REFERENCES28

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Summary of Issues

The study present various issues regarding the problem based learning approach with great relevancy that have been discussed in the past literature. The problem based learning approach is an important and useful way of learning that provide learners with a wide range of information regarding different ways of learning and the atmosphere that is needed for learning. The problem based learning approach enable the students to understand and observed variety of information regarding their relative subjects in difficult and problematic situation. They are given real life practical situations and are asked to provide solutions on the given problem by adopting certain ways of answering the questions. However, the problem centered learning in the 21st century world has presented a number of opportunities to the learners as it implies the self directed and lifelong learning.

The 21st century learning provides opportunities for students to master core subject content and to master 21st century skills. According to the International Society for Technology in Education, these skills include creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making, digital citizenship, and technology operations and concepts (ISTE, 2007). This new type of learning is often defined in the literature as the three R's: Reading, wRiting, and aRithmetic, as well as the three C's: Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration (Barnett, 2007). Other research on 21st century learning lists similar skills to support a twenty-first century learning environment. For students to succeed in the 21st century, schools need to focus on three core skills, which include ...