ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the academic achievement of the learners in experimental group (taught by PBL approach) and controlled group (taught by traditional approach). A pre-test, post-test design with randomized experimental and control groups was used. The sample of the present study consisted of 60 social science students of Grade VII (ICSE Board) Ragendra Swaroop Public School. The selection of the school had been done through purposive sampling method. Further, simple random sampling method was used to divide the students in two groups A Self-made achievement test of social studies was administered to all the students in the sample. The test was conducted on two occasions as a pre-test and as a post-test. The collected data was analyzed and interpreted using mean, standard deviation and t-test. It was found that the performance of social science students taught with constructivist problem-based learning approach was better than that of group taught by traditional approach. The calculated t-value of 9.68 was more than the tabulated value at .01 level of significance. The students in experimental group were more active during the learning process and they had taken up their responsibility for learning. Problem-based learning can be considered as an effective method of student-centered learning. In the Problem-based Learning process, students learn how to analyze the problem given among them and sharing classroom knowledge into practice. This new approach to learning brings new ways in which students are involved in the learning process. Students learn best when they are engaged in the learning process and discover for themselves the meaning of knowledge.