Curriculum Problem-Based Learning Is Something That Teachers

¶ … Curriculum

Problem-based learning is something that teachers and students alike have been excited about, since it provides the opportunity not only to learn, but also to learn in a very practical setting, by solving presented problems. For educators, this presents a new and exciting world to help learners arrive at the level of knowledge they require to succeed in their immediate and long-term future. It is also important to recognize that students need particular traits to respond well and make good use of this type of education, especially at the tertiary level. When entering a physical therapy program that is strongly oriented towards problem-based learning, I will therefore use the skills that I have cultivated throughout my life and school career to make a success of this program; these include independent thinking, problem solving, group interaction skills, and self-discipline.

I have learned to be an independent thinker since a very early age. Many parents today overlook the fact that education starts in the home. My parents, fortunately, subscribe to the opinion that children begin learning when they are babies. Along with the general rules of life and society, my parents have also continually encouraged me to question everything I see and hear. When I was ready to go to school, I was already a highly critical and independent thinker. This created a good background for me to enter the wider social environment away from my parents.

Both at school and at home, I was faced with everyday as well as extraordinary problems. I would always follow a certain pattern when finding solutions, starting with what I know, using resources, asking help from others, and finally obtaining a solution. One of these problems was how to manage my time between equally important but conflicting things in my life. When I was a little older, this problem extended to my girlfriend, where she needed attention, but I also needed to pay attention to my other activities, such as my school work and sports activities. My first strategy was to use my most immediate resources, which included my reasoning abilities. I spoke with her and, together, we used critical thinking to find a suitable scheduling solution.

Problem solving also means that one functions well in a group of people. At school, many of my classes required us to work as groups together. Here, I learned to function well as both a group leader and follower. Being led by others taught me to integrate my skills well with the rest of the group and to exercise my listening skills. Being a leader also helped me to practice my organizing and critical thinking skills.

I cultivated a large amount of self-discipline by being presented with time management choices. When it comes to school work and playing computer games, for example, I created a reward system form myself. When I had a certain amount of school work completed, I would have a certain amount of time for the computer. This also enhanced my critical thinking, since the amounts of time for each activity would fluctuate daily, according to the workload I was facing at the time. My self-discipline also extended to the part-time job I took during the holidays, as well as my money management skills. I worked in a physical therapy office, learning the importance of completing a certain amount of work in a certain amount of time, which was attached to the reward of payment. This work also helped me to prepare for the rigors of the profession I chose for my future.