Foreign "problem-based Learning" Research Study

Problem-based Learning(PBL) focuses on encouraging and supporting learners' active inquiry,collaborating problem-solving process,and on developing learners' integrated capabilities and skills,in order to alter learners' passive study style,and to emphasize the process of their knowledge and skills.In 1969,McMaster University in Canada initiated the first PBL curriculum and the related research on its theory and practice.The researchers and practitioners investigated classic PBL's model,procedure,influential factors and assessment based on its theoretical foundations of empiricism and constructivism.In return,the research findings continuously improved the theory and practice of PBL curriculum.Before long,PBL grows and expands into the instructional practice of multi-disciplines,different educational phrases,and multicultures.PBL has been gaining increasing attention and enthusiasm from both theorists and practicers.Richer research content and methods are being applied on poly-levels and from multi-aspects.More and more countries are studying this field.Based on literatures and research reviews,this thesis started with an introduction of historical background of PBL,and an interpretation of its theoretical foundations as regarding the logic of "why to solve problems","what problems to solve" and "how to solve problems". After generalizing its characteristics,this thesis recounts how PBL affects students' development of cognization,skills,abilities and ideation,how PBL's requirement on teacher roles influences teachers' instructional actions.In order to enrich domestic theoretical literature on PBL,this thesis fatherly discusses PBL's classic model and its improvements,as well as teacher instructional strategies and student study strategies,assessment means and existing problems in western literatures.Finally,through summarization,analysis and interpretation of PBL and its practice,combining with the implementation and reality of Research Based Learning curriculum in our country,this thesis proposes some constructive revelations on constant development of Research Based Learning from PBL.