Using Problem-Based Learning as an Instructional Approach in Enhancing Problem Solving Skills between Engineering and Business

  • Authors

    • Zulida Abdul Kadir
    • Nor Hazana Abdullah
    • Rosmahalil Azrol Abdullah
    • Fadillah Ismail
    • Adibah Abdul Kadir
    • Elizabeth A/P M.Anthony
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.25.17825
  • Problem solving Skills, Problem-based Learning, Instructional Approach
  • Abstract

    Problem-based Learning (PBL) is one of an emerging student-centered approach in Malaysia. PBL has been proven to be one of the best approaches in helping students improve their soft skills. Complaints received from industry stating that many graduates are lacking of problem solving skills. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify whether students’ problem solving skills could be improved using PBL as an instructional tool. A quasi-experimental interrupted time series design was used involving fifty students from business and engineering faculties in a premier Technical University in Malaysia. Students were given four treatments or problems and were assessed based on accuracy and quality of solutions of the problem given. Results show that business students enhanced their problem solving skills better than engineering students. The findings support previous findings on the effectiveness of PBL on problem solving skills. This finding substantiates the use of PBL as an effective instructional tool to improve students’ problem solving abilities.

     

  • References

    1. style='font-size:8.0pt;mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:EN-CA'>
    2. style='mso-element:field-begin'>
    3. style='mso-spacerun:yes'> ADDIN EN.REFLIST
    4. field-separator'>[1] MOHE. Soft skills development module for institutions of higher learning Malaysia. Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. : Serdang: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press, 2005.

      [2] Rahmah I, Ishak Y, Wei Sieng L. Employers' perception on graduates in Malaysia service sector. International Business Management. 2011;5(3):184-93.

      [3] Wyman N. The new employability: Steering our students toward rewarding careers. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers. 2015;90(6):22-5.

      [4] Hill J, editor Instructional communication curricula in the California State University system. Conference Papers–National Communication Association; 2007.

      [5] Jones L. The student-centered classroom: Cambridge University Press Cambridge; 2007.

      [6] Al-Naggar RA, Bobryshev YV. Shisha smoking and associated factors among medical students in Malaysia. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2012;13(11):5627-32.

      [7] Barrows HS. A taxonomy of problemâ€based learning methods. Medical education. 1986;20(6):481-6.

      [8] Salleh A, K Alsagojf S, Soh HL, Ng CK. Introducing problem-based learning in a graduate business educational setting: Students' perceptions and implementation issues. Malaysian Journal of University Education. 2005;1(1):67-77.

      [9] Tarmizi RA, Bayat S. Collaborative problem-based learning in mathematics: A cognitive load perspective. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2012;32:344-50.

      [10] Ommar N. Perception of first and second year medical students on problem-based learning in Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. World Appl Sci J. 2011;14(11):1628-34.

      [11] Nair S, Alkiyumi MT. Investigation the relationship between intrinsic motivation and creative production on solving real problems. SOSIOHUMANIKA. 2016;4(2).

      [12] Abdullah F, editor A preliminary study on problem based learning and its implementation in architectural education. Journal of the World Universities Forum; 2008: Common Ground Publishing Pty Ltd.

      [13] Yusof KM, Tasir Z, Harun J, Helmi SA. Promoting problem-based learning (PBL) in engineering courses at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. Global J of Engng Educ. 2005;9(2):175-84.

      [14] Ali M, Begum B, Mohamad NA. Problem-based learning at Ahmad Ibrahim Kuliyyah of Laws and the inculcation of Islamic values. IIUM Law Journal. 2009;17(1):145-65.

      [15] Lin L-F. Impacts of the Problem-Based Learning Pedagogy on English Learners' Reading Comprehension, Strategy Use, and Active Learning Attitudes. Journal of Education and Training Studies. 2017;5(6):109-25.

      [16] Hmelo-Silver CE. Problem-based learning: What and how do students learn? Educational psychology review. 2004;16(3):235-66.

      [17] Hussein O, Walters B, Stroetz R, Valencia P, McCall D, Hubmayr RD. Biophysical determinants of alveolar epithelial plasma membrane wounding associated with mechanical ventilation. American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology. 2013;305(7):L478-L84.

      [18] Gijbels D, Dochy F, Van den Bossche P, Segers M. Effects of problem-based learning: A meta-analysis from the angle of assessment. Review of educational research. 2005;75(1):27-61.

      [19] Chambers HF. The changing epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus? Emerging infectious diseases. 2001;7(2):178.

      [20] Wee LK-N, Kek MYCA, Sim MHC, editors. Crafting effective problems for problem-based learning. Proceedings of the 3rd Asia-Pacific Conference on Problem-Based Learning 2001; 2001: University of Newcastle.

      [21] Barrows HS, Wilkerson L, Gijselaers WH. Bringing problem-based learning to higher education: theory and practice. 1996.

      [22] Barrows H, Principles WKNL. practice of Apel. Singapore: Pearson Prentice Hall; 2007.

      [23] Hmelo CE. Cognitive consequences of problem-based learning for the early development of medical expertise. Teaching and Learning in Medicine. 1998;10(2):92-100.

      [24] Tan OS. Problem-based learning innovation: Using problems to power learning in the 21st century: Thomson Learning Asia; 2003.

      [25] Neo M, Neo TK. A multimediaâ€enhanced problemâ€based learning experience in the Malaysian classroom. Learning, Media and Technology. 2005;30(1):41-53.

      [26] O’Grady G, Alwis W, editors. One day, one problem: PBL at the Republic Polytechnic. 4th Asia Pacific Conference in PBL Hatyai, Thailand; 2002.

      [27] Savin-Baden M. Problem-Based Learning In Higher Education: Untold Stories: Untold Stories: McGraw-Hill Education (UK); 2000.

      [28] Maudsley G. Do we all mean the same thing by" problem-based learning"? A review of the concepts and a formulation of the ground rules. Academic medicine: journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges. 1999;74(2):178-85.

      [29] Norman GR, Schmidt HG. Effectiveness of problemâ€based learning curricula: Theory, practice and paper darts. Medical education. 2000;34(9):721-8.

      [30] Hmelo-Silver CE, Eberbach C. Learning theories and problem-based learning. Problem-based learning in clinical education: Springer; 2012. p. 3-17.

      [31] Jian W. Improvement of Physics teaching with problem based learning. The China Papers. 2004.

      [32] Loyens SM, Magda J, Rikers RM. Self-directed learning in problem-based learning and its relationships with self-regulated learning. Educational Psychology Review. 2008;20(4):411-27.

      [33] Savin-Baden M, Major CH. Foundations of problem-based learning: McGraw-Hill Education (UK); 2004.

      [34] Dochy F, Segers M, Van Den Bossche P, Struyven K. Students’ perceptions of a problem-based learning environment. Learning environments research. 2005;8(1):41-66.

      [35] Sim HCM, Wee KN, L., Da Silva G. .Student evaluation of the subject under problem-based learning mode: The case of practice of entrepreneurship. Second Asia-Pacific Conference on Problem-Based Learning, ; Singapore2000.

      [36] Berkson L. Problem-based learning: have the expectations been met? Academic medicine. 1993.

      [37] Tan O-S. Problem-based learning pedagogies: psychological processes and enhancement of intelligences. Educational Research for Policy and Practice. 2007;6(2):101-14.

    5. "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-ansi-language:
    6. EN-CA;mso-fareast-language:KO;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'>
    7. field-end'>
  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Abdul Kadir, Z., Hazana Abdullah, N., Azrol Abdullah, R., Ismail, F., Abdul Kadir, A., & A/P M.Anthony, E. (2018). Using Problem-Based Learning as an Instructional Approach in Enhancing Problem Solving Skills between Engineering and Business. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 7(3.25), 681-684. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i3.25.17825

    Received date: 2018-08-18

    Accepted date: 2018-08-18