Using problem-based learning in teaching EU foreign policy: a design challenge
Submitted by University College of Dublin on Tue, 05/23/2017 - 20:48
Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach that engages students in learning through the process of trying to understand and resolve authentic, real-world problems in small teams. It can be highly engaging for students. It supports active knowledge construction in the subject domain, while also supporting the development of meta-cognition (learning how to learn), and key skills for professional futures, such as team-working, communications, and information and digital literacies.
This year the topic for the 3rd Jean Monnet teaching workshop, 31 May to 1 June 2017 at University College Dublin (UCD) focuses on using problem-based learning in teaching EU foreign policy. It builds on the previous teaching workshop on simulation games, which can also be used as ‘problem triggers’ within PBL.
The aim of the Dublin workshop is to explore how PBL can be used in teaching EU Foreign Policy.
Through presentation and discussion of examples, and hands-on activity, the workshop will engage participants with key questions for practice, including:
What are the key ingredients for effective PBL?
What makes a good ‘problem trigger’?
How can technology be used to enhance PBL: that is, to make it more authentic, engaging students with real-word resources and communications/collaboration tools, and fostering development of digital literacies?
What is ‘PBL compatible’ assessment?
During the workshop, participants will work within teams to design problems that can be implemented in teaching practice, sharing experience and drawing on key inputs from the workshop presenters. The results of the group work will be shared as ‘PBL packages’ on the ANTERO website, which may be used and/or adapted by anyone teaching EU Foreign Policy. Each team will also design a ‘digital badge’ that could be used as a formative award with their problem to recognise student achievement and skills.
The presenters for the teaching workshop are:
Terry Barrett of UCD Teaching and Learning, who has over twenty years experience of working with problem-based learning as an education developer, programme coordinator, tutor and research supervisor. She has worked in the design and implementation of PBL in a range of disciplines.
Heidi Maurer of Maastricht University, who teaches European Studies and actively engages in research about alternative teaching methods, in particular PBL, which is the main method of instruction at Maastricht University.
Yvonne Emmett of UCD Teaching and Learning, who is a specialist in technology-enhanced learning. Yvonne’s recent work has been on All Aboard, a collaborative project funded by Ireland’s National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education to develop a digital skills framework for all those who learn and work in higher education, along with a set of open educational resources and digital badges.
We all very much look forward to seeing you in Dublin.