Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the pre-service teachers’ perceptions into learning primary school science
using the method of Problem Based Learning (PBL). This learning strategy has been introduced into the B.Ed.
programme at the University of Trinidad and Tobago for pre-service teachers who are expected to implement it in their
teaching profession in primary school science. The research study attempted to identify the perceptions of these
pre-service teachers during the learning process of PBL. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews
with written comments and a questionnaire. The results showed that there is a general agreement among the
participants that PBL is a good strategy for discovery learning and enhancing content knowledge for both the group
and the individual. There were negative perceptions about the availability of time for the application of PBL in the
classroom due to the short teaching periods at the primary level. The prevailing school culture of the old method of
teaching was also identified as an obstacle to application.
Keywords: pre-service teachers’ perception; Problem Base Learning(PBL); primary school science; semi-structured
interviews; questionnaire