AMEA conference: Debate on PBL

International Medical University Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia 2011-0325

Asian students are NOT

suitable
Prof. David C.Y. Kwan, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

for PBL

What is a typical Asian student?

Intelligent, but not curious enough Willing, but lack self-confident Obedient, and very submissive Observant, but reluctant to act Compassionate, but too shy to express Good manual skills, but poor critical thinking Quiet judge, but poor assessor Active follower, uncomfortable to lead
These traits can also be found in Asian teachers, because some students will become teachers under the same cultural climate

PBL is not a teaching method, it is a learning philosophy!

What the heck is PBL?

Self-directed learning Student-centered learning Small-group learning Scenario-based learning Subject-integration learning

5S-definitions based on pedagogic concept

P-B-L definitions based on subject integration

Population people, family, community, global Behavior belief, culture, habits, moral, ethics Life/living life sciences, knowledge and skills

Most Asian universities adopted hybrid-PBL with a large traditional component suggesting they have strong skepticism against its suitability for their students

What does it mean not suitable?

Do their learning styles fit the purpose of PBL? Do they prefer attending lectures over PBL as
their learning platform? Does PBL take up too much students time? Do they complain that PBL does not help them learned much core knowledge systematically ? Do they complain spending too much time on the preparation for PBL tutorials? Do they often comment that their tutors are not well prepared to meet their needs in PBL? Do they object to expending their current hybridPBL to full PBL curriculum? Are they vocal enough without being prompted?

My key arguments
Asian students learning
habits do not match the PBL pedagogic goals

Academic culture

Asian teachers have not

acquired proper mind-set, skills or devotion to help Asian students prepare for PBL

Asian university administrators resist to help enhance student ability with true PBL culture, instead, they alter PBL to fit their students

PBL
Students Learning attitudes

In conclusion, it is very clear that

Asian students are NOT suitable for PBL,

i.e., the distorted form of hybrid-PBL

Yet, the authentic form of PBL is suitable and good for willing Asian students

How to make Asian students suitable for PBL?

Never compromise PBL spirits to fit the students Admit students who are active and potentially
adaptable & adjustable to PBL environment Persuade your education administrator to buy in PBL and set up rewarding mechanisms Adequately, effectively & regularly train your teachers as PBL tutors and case-writers Have faith on the PBL philosophy and not to mistaken PBL as just another pedagogic method Align your assessment of student performance with PBL objectives