PBL - Problem Based Learning : A Fallacious Move
Since last year, most of the faculties or higher learning institutions, have adopted a new teaching method (for certain academicians, this is not new I believe) called "Problem Based Learning" or in short PBL. The paradigm shift was initiated because of ISO, one thing, and also due to the objective of creating graduates who are able to think and express themselves.
My Comment: Objective is clear and positive but "they" should know it aint going to work out. Most of the time during the PBL sessions, students will just get carried away into their own topics, interests and perhaps fantasies. I understand the tendency to sway away because the topics or the scenarios could not spark the zeal among students to learn and to discuss. Furthermore, certain subjects could never be implemented using PBL. Just like my case, one of the subjects I am taking this semester is Artificial Neural Networks, supposedly this is an interesting and challenging subject, but because of PBL, the enthusiasm smashed! WHY? ANN is a subject where you need to understand a lot of fundamentals and concepts. Under PBL "regulations", students are obliged to find info and knowledge themselves. Basic dah lah tak tahu, nak terus masuk research! Apa gunanya? You see, sometimes, Malaysians do things extraordinary and sound great and amazing but what's the use? Don't you think it is better that you stick to old classic ways of educating? In doing things, one doesn't have to adopt any special eye-opening methods, as long as people can see the results, no matter how old fashioned your styles, you are deemed a good problem solver