Journal of Problem Based Learning in Higher Education (Aug 2013)
Identifying needs to develop a PBL staff development program
Abstract
Staff development is a crucial element for educational intervention. Recognizing the importance of staff development, this study aims to pin-point suitable methodologies in developing a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) academic staff development program for a higher education institute where PBL has become an intervention alternative. The study aims to answer the following research questions 1) how can university academic staff be assisted to acquire pedagogical competences for an initiative of the implementation of PBL curriculum? 2) What kinds of support do university academic staff need in order to maintain PBL implementation? Through a combination of a literature review, interviews with 6 PBL experts which emphasize the importance of PBL facilitators, and document analysis of reflection notes from 18 trainees of a PBL workshop, this study will produce a guideline in developing a PBL Academic Staff Development Program for an institute wishes to implement and retain PBL as the education strategy.
