The Problem-Based Learning Process
In problem-based learning classrooms, the roles and responsibilities of both teachers and learners are different from
those in more traditional types of school-based learning.
Generally, in problem-based classrooms, the teacher acts as
a coach for or facilitator of activities that students carry out
themselves. The teacher does not simply present information or directly control the progression of work. Instead,
the teacher provides students with appropriate problems
to work on, assists them in identifying and accessing the
materials and equipment necessary to solve the problems,
gives necessary feedback and support during the problemsolving process, and evaluates students’ participation and
products, with the goal of helping them develop their
problem-solving as well as their language and literacy skills.
These activities are described below.
Four steps in implementing problem-based learning
Many works have described the process of problem-based
learning from the perspective of students (e.g., Albion &
Gibson, 1998; Boud, 1985; Butler, 2003). This process generally includes four main steps, which are illustrated in
Figure 1 under “Process for Students”: (1) being introduced
to the problem, (2) exploring what they do and do not know
about the problem, (3) generating possible solutions to the
problem, and (4) considering the consequences of each
solution and selecting the most viable solution. However,
we have had little information about what actions each of