TITLE:
Using Problem Based Learning to Develop Class Projects in Upper Level Social Science Courses: A Case Study with Recommendations
AUTHORS:
Dani V. McMay, Kathleen Gradel, Christopher Scott
KEYWORDS:
Problem Based Learning; Class Projects; PBL; Social Science Education; Group Projects; Grading Rubrics
JOURNAL NAME:
Creative Education,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
16,
2013
ABSTRACT: Problem Based Learning is often used as the
pedagogy for an entire course. However, instructors wanting to try PBL for the
first time may find this intimidating. An alternative is to use this pedagogy
for a class project and not the entire class. Students in an upper level
psychology course used Problem Based Learning to create a transitional facility
for ex-offenders in a rural county where currently none exists. Students gained
insight into community services, the needs of the target population, and how to
match clients’ need with services in the community. This project can be used as
a model for instructors in the fields of psychology, sociology and social work.