Latest News
Introduction to PBL for Kazakhstan Educators (Nov 2011)
The Temasek Centre for Problem-Based Learning (TCPBL) welcomed a group of Kazakhstan educators to Temasek Polytechnic for the Introduction to PBL Programme from 2-4 November 2011. The is the third group of Kazakhstan teachers to visit TCPBL, following the first two groups in 2010, and we are very pleased to share about TP’s approach to PBL with them. As the group comprised of Science teachers, sample problem statements were developed to illustrate how concepts in subject such as Chemistry and Physics may be taught using PBL.
Problem-based Learning for Institute of Maritime Systems & Operations (March 2011)
Temasek Polytechnic continued their collaboration with the Institute of Maritime Systems & Operations (IMOS) by conducting the 3-day PBL Foundation Programme on 30-31 March and 1 April 2011. This professional development programme was attended by IMOS’ instructional designers as well as instructors. IMOS has been using PBL in varying degrees for several years and, in these sessions, they were looking for new insights on how they might enhance their current practices. The participants particularly enjoyed the session on Problem Crafting, where they were able to develop their own PBL problems about the maintenance and operations of maritime systems as well as critique those designed by their peers .There were also several animated discussions on issues such as: how to engage and motivate IMOS trainees, how PBL might be different from lectures, and the importance of the PBL facilitator in successful PBL implementation.
Visit by Distinguished Fulbright Awardee to Temasek Polytechnic
Lance Boyd, a Distinguished Fulbright Awardee, visited Temasek Polytechnic in March 2011. Lance is a teacher in one of Hawaii’s private secondary schools, and has a keen interest in Problem-based Learning (PBL) and how Singapore schools have implemented it. He took part in TP’s PBL-in-THEC, which forms part of TP’s initial teacher training programme; in these two days, participants worked through a pedagogy problem using TP’s PBL framework and process.
Lance has had the opportunity to see PBL implementation in other schools in Singapore, and is exploring how it might best work in his own context and in the areas of sustainability education. Lance shared, “The knowledge and experience shown in 21st century appropriate pedagogies by TP Learning Academy staff can only come from years of experience, research, and implementation. This expertise enabled staff to conduct an appropriate and effective training for faculty with varying degrees of familiarity with PBL and ability to employ the practice. I was particularly impressed with the flexibility TP offers facilitators to use PBL."
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