Problem Based Learning

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of study

Problem Based Learning or PBL is originally started by medical schools for medical students at Canada in late 1960’s. Then this new way of learning at that time is used widely by other medical schools around that area. And soon after that, PBL is being used for students other than in medical field like engineering, education, mathematics and others. Some mathematics based student’s feels like this way of learning is not suitable for them. They say that PBL will lead to misconceptions and misunderstandings of mathematical concepts and workings. But, some of them also prefer to use PBL as their way of learning like for calculus subject, as they feel this way may increase their conceptual understandings when they try to explore about the topics by themselves. Hence, this research is conducted to investigate the perception of mathematics students on this issue.

1.2 Statement of Problem

There is a trend nowadays to refer to problem based learning or PBL and it has been acknowledged as very important way of teaching and students learning (Xiuping, 2002). However, not all students from various courses agree on using PBL as their way of learning new things. The purpose of the research is to identify the perception of IIUM Mathematical Sciences students towards using PBL as a way of learning. Besides, the objectives of this study also to investigate whether students prefer PBL or traditional classes. The respondents are IIUM Mathematical Sciences students in IIUM Kuantan campus. What are the perceptions of IIUM Mathematical Sciences students towards PBL? Do students prefer PBL or traditional classes?

1.3 Objectives

The objectives of this study are;

1- To find out the perceptions of IIUM Mathematical Sciences students towards PBL.

2- To investigate whether students prefer PBL or traditional classes.

1.4 Research...