Problem Based Learning: Its Use in the Nursing Skills Lab AFACCT Annual Conference, January 12-13, 2006

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Problem Based Learning Its Use in the Nursing
Skills LabAFACCT Annual Conference, January
12-13, 2006

• Lisa Gotschall, MS, RN, CS
• Kathy Martin, MS, RN, CS
• Frederick Community College
• Frederick, MD

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Learning Outcomes

• After completion of this program, participants
  will be able to
• Describe the tenets of Problem Based Learning
• State strengths and weaknesses of Problem Based
  Learning
• Describe how Problem Based Learning enhances the
  development of critical thinking skills
• Describe how Problem Based Learning can be
  utilized in the nursing skills lab

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Basic Tenets of Problem Based Learning

• Instructional method using real world problems
• Students
• Acquire knowledge emphasis is on making
  meaning
• Increases relevance of new material
• Practice critical thinking and problem solving
  skills
• Identify and utilize learning resources

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Why PBL?

• Promotes critical thinking
• Analysis
• Reasoning
• Decision making
• Independent judgment

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Why PBL?

• Promotes group work brainstorming, cooperation,
  communication, problem solving
• Encourages ownership of the learning process
• Prepares students to be life-long learners
• All essential characteristics of a professional
  nurse

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Disadvantages of PBL

• Transition is difficult for students and faculty
• Non-traditional delivery of information
• Increased time to teach content
• Increased prep time
• Finding problems writing problems
• Faculty lack of skills as facilitators

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Student Role

• Present student group with problem
• Group roles emerge
• Group discussion
• Identify previous knowledge
• Identify knowledge gaps
• Students rank learning issues
• Summarize new knowledge
• Ongoing process for ALL

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Faculty Role

• Guide, probe, question, direct
• Support student inquiry
• Provide direction to resources
• Can stop group discussions to focus on key
  learning outcome content
• Monitor group functioning

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Creating Problems

• Content reasonable for time allowed
• Consider learning objectives
• Complex enough to incorporate prior knowledge

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How to Create Problems

• Identify major concept or main idea
• Include some details that propel the students
  toward learning objectives
• Specific guiding questions
• Provide adequate access to resources

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Resources

• Library
• Mannequins
• Skills Packs

• PDAs
• Computer Software
• Skills DVDs

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How FCC Implements PBL

• Groups 3-4 students in skills lab
• 11 3 hour labs using PBL problems
• First 30 min. discussion of problem
• Review known information using TLC Medical
  Center database
• Identify learning goals
• Utilize resources
• Client scenarios (syllabus)
• Library, textbooks, videos, Skills DVD, PDAs
• Wrap up and share solutions to problems
• Attempt to answer NCLEX-style questions
• Practice skills
• Skills packs
• Mannequins

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Sample Problem
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Sample Calendar
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Questions??Kathy Martin kmartin_at_frederick.ed
uLisa Gotschall lgotschall_at_frederick.edu