PBL in software engineering

Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is possibly the most important pedagogical innovation in
history. It is a problem-centered teaching method with exciting potential in engineering education for enhancingstudent learning. The use of PBL inengineering education has the ability to fill the gap between theory and practice.Moreover pbl is new method of teaching used mainly in the Third Level education based on the ’learn to learn‘ concept.PBL is needed because learning through problem situations is much more effective than memory based learning.It offers opportunities for students to work and learn in teams,develop presentation skills ,learn negotiation abilities
,develop research skills ,develop a critical thinking.Furthermore PBL :

1)develops independent thinking
2)simulates real life engineering cases
3)improves motivation for learning
4)enhances long term retention knowledge
5) the cost of running PBL curricula is comparable with
that of running traditional ones for classes sizes up to 100

PBL basic structure : introduce a problem or scenario to students,together activate their prior knowledge and listwhat is known,develop theories to explain the problem and list what is needed,then list possible actions or hypothesisand solutions to the problem,and finally share the solution and support it.

However,as PBL can be viewed as a method of giving students skills,it can also limit tha possibility of offeringthem a broader image of the engineering concepts.