All Ireland Society for Higher Education
| Name: | Sandra Birrell |
|---|---|
| Email: | sbirrell@sfu.ca |
| Institution: | Simon Fraser University |
Although the instructor's role is peripheral in problem-based learning, this active pedagogical strategy presents unique challenges to both instructional teams and learners when delivered through distance education. Geographically and temporally distanced individuals must come together to define ill-structured problems and actively plan and seek solutions to the many unforeseen challenges. This presentation details the design, delivery, and evaluation of a 13-week problem-based learning course delivered online to 300 MBA learners over the past 2 years. With learners from half a dozen countries around the globe working in small teams, the course was designed to provide authentic simulation of business research. Teams of between 3 and 6 learners faced team member losses and dissent, technological failures, cultural differences, and research mishaps whilst dealing with the uncertainty of their first exposure to PBL. Creative on-the-fly problem solving was combined with available technol ogical tools and trends and ongoing learner reflection to overcome obstacles, leading to a meaningful learning experience.
Lead by course designer, manager, and one of the five instructors who delivered this innovative online course, Sandra Birrell, this discussion will detail the lessons learned from an educator's perspective and present detailed student reflections in the form of student blogs and post-activity team debriefings.