In some cases, the implication may be that
PBL is an unnecessary complication to the
educational scene. It has been an
interesting and worthy experiment but now
we know about the contextual learning
model we no longer need to reinvent it.
Certainly, courses designed around
mainstream, conventional forms of
teaching should not be abandoned in
favour of PBL courses. Rather, they
should be helped to evolve in line with the
principles of contextual learning outlined
here (Coles 1991: 305).
Exemplary teaching is about constructing
an atmosphere where learners sense that
they can learn, that they can make
decisions about their education and be
accountable for their learning, and that they
can be successful. Exemplary teaching
must consist of eagerness and
responsibility in the lecturer’srole. It takes
time, stamina and responsibility to have
confidence that understanding is taking
place. It cannot be assumed that by
presenting mountains of content it will
automatically be synthesised. The
supposition that simply delivering masses
of content is competent teaching is most
likely quite prevailing in the tertiary
environment. This could be perceived as a
concern. Students recognise if their
lecturers have regard for their levels of
learning (Crebbin 1997: 149). Poor
teaching can be seen as anything that bores
and alienates the students (Dottin and
Weiner 2001). Alienation can come from
the experience of being ‘taught at’ through
the use of lectures and teacher directed
tutorials. Students often find certain types
of assignments and other ‘normal’
curricula assessments boring. PBL does
not lend itself to boredom. The students
are too busy and so, do not have time to
think about being bored or alienated
(Johnston 1997: 444).
Finally, it is apparent that because of the
complex educational approach demanded
by the use of PBL, the process of designing