HESS513 WASTEWATER

ENGINEERING

What is PBL?
By Dr. Matthew Wong

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

What is Problem-Based Learning (PBL)?
• Problem Packages
• Meetings
– 1st Meeting
– 2nd Meeting
– 3rd Meeting
• Reflection Journals

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

What is Problem Package?
• It is a designed teaching and learning activities that
put together based on “1-Week-1-Problem” PBL
pedagogy approach.
• A Problem Package consists of:
– A Problem Statement (PS)
– A Worksheet (WS)
– Other Teaching and Learning (T&L) Materials, e.g.
lecture notes, calculation templates, etc.

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

What is Problem Statement (PS)?
• A specific crafted scenario that usually associates with
issues, challenges or problems in accordance with the
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) from the problem
package.
• PS is also designed to “trigger” your mind (as well as
your prior knowledge) about the issues and get started
for the day.
• “Tasks of the week” aligned with the ILOs are usually
provided in the PS.

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

What is Problem Definition Template
(PDT)?
• A PDT is a useful tool to help you get started with
brainstorming and collating the ideas from each of
you (teammates) so that you may know how to go
about solving the problem.
• It is usually consist of 3 columns (see next page):
– What you know
– What you don’t know
– What you would like to find out

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

Problem Definition Template (PDT)
What you know What you don’t know What you need to find out
For example: For example: For example:
• Wastewater is dirty • What are the pollutants • Terminology for
water in wastewater? wastewater engineering
• Wastewater come from • What else made up the • Wastewater
our toilets wastewater? characteristics
• And… • And… • And…

“the more discussion among your teammates,

the more items you can list here...”
Then the easier you may find ways to “solve”
the problem!

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

What is Worksheet (WS)?
• A WS is usually attached with the problem
statement once the problem package is published.
• It is a guide to help you “solving” the problem.
• It is an optional T&L material to be provided in a
problem package.
• You may or may not use it as a guide if you think you
have better ideas how to solve the problem.

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

Why are there 3 Meetings?
• The meetings are created for the different phases of your learning.
• Meeting 1 (e.g. Monday): (1 hr.)
– To publish the problem package
– To trigger your mind (e.g. prior knowledge) about the problem
– To brainstorm for directions (aka. the approach) to solve the problem using
“problem definition template”
• Meeting 2 (e.g. Monday or Wednesday): (2 hr.)
– To discuss and formulate “the approach”
– To promote self-directed (individual) and collaborative (group) learning skills
• Meeting 3 (e.g. Friday): (2 hr.)
– To present your solutions, i.e., team presentation
– To give constructive instant feedbacks from the peers and the facilitator
– To reflect and feedback about your learning, i.e., reflection journal

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

 1Week-1Problem (1W-1P) Activity
Meeting No. & Activity Duration Remarks (if any)
M1 – Publish PS 5 min To get started with the problem package
M1 – PDT (Students) 20 min To tag on your prior knowledge
M1 – PDT (Facilitator) 20 min To go thru PDT and provide closure for M1
M1 – Study Break 15 min Toilet break (optional)
M2 – WS (Students) 120 min To complete the WS and finding “The Approach”
M2 – WS (Facilitator) 10 min/team To help forming “The Approach”
M2 – Study Period (Self) ~ 2 to 3 days To get understanding and provide “solution(s)”
M3 – Presentation (Students) 10 min/team To present and seek deeper understanding
M3 – Closure (Facilitator) 5 min To provide closure for 1Week-1Problem
Team Presentation (2359HR) 1 min To upload your team presentation on BB
Reflection Journal (2359HR) 10 min To reflect and improve the teaching and learning

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

What is Reflection Journal (RJ)?
• RJ is your reflection about your learning of the day.
• Self-reflection is crucial learning process to ensure you
are constantly improving about your own learning
approach.
• It is about the learning obstacles that you faced while
solving the problem and how you may have overcome
them.
• The day should always end with reflection and
feedback.

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

Any question?

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M
 Enjoy your learning!

Thank you!

DULN004(Q) KP(JPS)5195/IPTS/1144 05 June 2004 Co. No. 497194-M