Subject

Problem based language learners

Purpose

The purpose is to provide critical thinking skills to students that they may be faced with in the real world.

Population

The population studied was middle and high school students.

Findings/Results

Learners should develop their understanding of their conventions of language use by engaging the kinds of language activity found in real life, and not by learning list of rules. Problems in problem-based instruction do not have clear-cut or absolute answers.

Reference

http://www.ericdigests.org/1999-2/problem.htm

Implication for Education

Teachers can pose language learning real life problems in order to bridge the gap language us in the real word and language use in the classroom. Teachers using problem-based instruction in the classroom should be more than a facilitator and a cognitive coach. Teachers must ask the students questions like “Why, What do you mean, and How do you know that is true?” Content laden questions should not be asked of the students. Higher-ended questions need to be asked to encourage the students to think critically rather than asking basic recall questions. As facilitators, teachers also design problems and provide critical resources needed for the inquiry process.          

This method of instruction proves to be the best qualifying instrument for allowing students to develop critical thinking skills for real life instances and experiences. The article also offered an example of the problem based learning process and how it can be implemented in the classroom. It describes the processes and the steps in which the teacher should take to encourage her groups to begin working on their assignments.