OER Africa / Unima: Midwifery Orientation

What Happens in Problem Based Learning (PBL)?

The PBL approach used in the Midwifery Certificate Programme is adapted to cater for the needs
of midwifery students in Malawi. It is a structured learning approach that is made up of these steps:

Overview of PBL
Step 1: What is the problem?	Individuals receive a written problem scenario and clarify the text of the scenario. Students define the problem.
Step 2: What do we know already?	Groups reflect on their experience and establish what they know. They use brainstorming to identify explanations for what is observed in the problem scenario.
Step 3: What are the learning issues?	Teams reach interim conclusions about the problem. They identify what new knowledge and skills they have to learn in order to respond appropriately to the scenario. They compile a learning plan that gives detailed descriptions of the learning issues.
Step 4: What are my learning goals?	Students work independently with the core learning resources and use the questions to guide their interactions with these resources.
Step 5: What are we learning?	Teams meet to share their insights and knowledge is built cooperatively. Student teams meet as often as needed.
Step 6: What conclusions have we reached?	Teams reflect critically on their understanding of the concepts. They apply their new knowledge and insights to the original scenario
Step 7: What have we learned about learning?	Teams reflect on their group and individual learning experiences. They identify what worked well and where and how they could improve in future.