Problem-Based Learning Community

About the Community

The Center for the Advancement of Teaching invites proposals from interdisciplinary groups of faculty and students to establish a problem-based learning community. The problem-based learning community (PBLC) is a one-year project beginning in Spring or Summer 2004 and funded under the Center's Communities Initiative with support from a grant from The Bush and William & Flora Hewlett foundations.

Problem-based learning (PBL) has been defined as

"...an instructional method that challenges students to develop the ability to think critically, analyze problems, and find and use appropriate learning resources. In fact, PBL is a pathway to better learning, helping students to learn how to learn."

University of Delaware, (2002). PBL 2002: A Pathway to Better Learning: Newark, DE.

Ideally, the PBLC should comprise at least two faculty members and at least two students. If your community does not match the "ideal community" described above, please contact Todd Stanislav at ext. 7692 or send an e-mail.

During the one-year period, PBLC will participate in the following activities:

• Spring or Summer 2004: The PBLC will attend a PBL conference, workshop, or symposium. Upon its return, the PBLC will draft a plan for its activities during the 2004-2005 academic year
• Fall 2004: The PBLC will develop a detailed plan and materials for using and assessing PBL in each faculty member's Spring 2005 course(s)
• Spring 2005: The plan and materials will be implemented
• Sometime during the 2004-2005 academic year, the PBLC will lead two half-day or one full-day PBL workshop for Xavier faculty members
• Summer 2005: The results of the year's activities will be presented in a written report. The report will also include an improved plan for using and assessing PBL in each faculty member's course(s) during the 2005-2006 academic year.

Support

The PBLC will receive the following support:

• Travel expenses for two faculty members and two students to attend a PBL conference, workshop, or symposium
• Academic year support (faculty 25% release time in Fall 2004 or Spring 2005, or $600 stipends per semester; student stipends of $250 per semester)
• Assistance in planning and organizing the PBL workshops.

Proposal Guidelines

Interested communities of faculty and students should submit a one-page letter of interest to the Center. The letter should provide a sense of the community's vision for the impact a PBLC could have on teaching and learning. If release time is requested, please include a written statement of support from your department chair.

Members of the Center's Faculty Advisory Group will review applications on a competitive basis. The review is not a blind review.

Deadline: November 10, 2003
Applicants will receive notification of the results in early December 2003.
A part of the October 2003 RFP Multipack.