PBL

This morning marked my last session of PBL in this semester. Even after 8 sessions, there are still many thoughts running in my head, the goods, bads, doubts, etc

FYI, PBL is actually problem-based learning where students take charge of the learning process by discussing among themselves based on a given trigger/problem. If i didn't remember wrongly, one of my lecturers mentioned that PBL came about during world war 2 where a group of engineers were made to sit together with a burnt aircraft engine as the trigger. These engineers had to crack their heads to find out the reasons behind the failure of the engine as much fruitless investigations had be done.

I'm not sure what happen at the end but somehow, these ppl or someone else realize that PBL is a good way to generate ideas beyond the constricted method of teaching and learning (such as spoon-feeding lectures). PBL also encourages activation of prior knowledge and adapting this knowledge into finding the best solution through diplomatic (i guess so...) discussion within a group of people. In my opinion, no single idea contributed is considered wrong unless it is proven wrong by any means. Any doubts that can't be clarified should be investigated by using books, journals, internet, experiments, resource person or any possible reliable source. Any ideas shouldn't be banned at once even though they may sound out of place.

So, the reason for writing this post is that i'm a bit lost/confused while undergoing all these PBL sessions. Somehow, presentations overpower the supposed-to-be interactive discussions. I did ask some of my coursemates and they said all they bring along to the PBL sessions are their brains and related information which they gathered previously. They discuss, share, suggest and correct among themselves while exploring the trigger. Their experiences were very unlike of what i had gone through. My PBL group had 'mini' lectures most of the time and there were not much interaction. Even more sad to say, the targets of the lectures are the hard-copy notes or powerpoint slides. I'm really envious of those who were at the next doors as they laughed from time to time. This gave me the impression that they were sharing, not lecturing passively.

To those who are familiar with PBL or anyone who has an idea on this, please enlighten me....

Due to popular demand, i'm back to write a post just to please those who have been following the updates of my blog...hahahaha...very 'perasaan' of me :P

Speaking of the word 'perasaan', i've not been using that word for a loooonnng time. Gone are those days where i chit-chat in bahasa with my dear friends. That language comes so naturally as though it is my 1st language. Somehow, conversation in bahasa with my non-malay friends is fun, very fun.....

I haven't been writing for weeks as portfolio-s, exam-s, practical reports, etc are piling up every single day. Life has been stressful for me as i do things at the 11th-hour. There was one incident where i had to skip a few lectures just to finish up my practical report and i somehow annoyed my friend who was just being concerned about my absence. I really wanna change this last-minute habit of mine....Ok, i should stop as this shouldn't be a place for my to grumble like a nanny.

Talking about my form 4 student whom i've been tutoring since last year, she did extremely well for her monthly assesstment. She scored 88% for her add math. I don't remember if i managed to score that high for my 1st add math paper. It was kinda surprise for me as she doesn't even remember her timetable well. If i suddenly ask her what is 7 x 7, she'll take at least 1 minute to answer me. All these while i think that 12X12 timetable comes naturally to anyone, at least those who have passed UPSR. Hopefully, she continues to do well. God bless her and me as well.......

It's almost 9pm and it's time for 'Boys over flowers'...muahahaha :P