He focused the majority of his time talking about the various model units that have been developed. He gave examples in math, science, language arts, social studies, and fine arts. His examples are from the K-12 setting. Most could be modified for use in a college classroom. He recommended two of Ann Lambros's books, Problem-based learning in middle and high school classrooms : a teacher's guide to implementation and Problem-based learning in K-8 classrooms : a teacher's guide to implementation.

He is developing a databases of PBL templates which will eventually be available on the instructional technology web site at Kent State. 

The main thing to remember with PBL is for everyone to understand their roles. Instructors are now mentors/guides and students are the ones truly in charge of the learning. 

A great problem includes:

• familiarity
• significance/relevance
• authentic
• dramatic appeal
• multiple solutions

Using PBL in library instruction:

• Problem is presented
• Students identify what they already know and what they need to know
• They brainstorm on where to start and then start conducting library research
• There is a feedback loop where they see where they are and if necessary start searching in another resource
• They solve the problem/complete the task
• At the end it is good to have a group wrap-up, mini lecture, class discussion, or group presentation to tie it all together.

Librarians as PBL instructors:

• Start with learning outcomes to make sure your problem asks the right question to achieve your objective.
• Use brainstorming, round robin, or prioritization to facilitate active learning and guide the students.
• Get feedback throughout the process to keep things on track and improve for next time

University of Cincinnati's PBL web site

University Libraries PBL web site with example PBL problems used in library instruction

The big points I came away with:

• start with an audience analysis to balance the competing nature of perfect instruction with how student's will use it
• context is critical for on-line learning
• the experience must be memorable and influential
• including quality feedback mechanism helps to validate and refine

After their presentation they distributed an annotated suggested reading list. They both recommended Michael Orey's eBook Learning, Teaching, and Technology and Martin Ryder's Instructional Design Models web site as excellent resources for online instructional design. A participant also recommended the PBL Clearinghouse at the University of Delaware as a good problem based learning resource.

There was a lot of discussion at the end about when to use PBL. Many participants felt that PBL works best with juniors and seniors. It was also suggested that if PBL is used with freshmen and sophomores the exercise should be smaller or the problem should be more defined.

The sessions I went to this year ended up having a theme, problem based learning:

• Convergence of the Library and Freshmen Experience: Instructional Collaboration and the Online Environment
• Modules and Online Instructional Design Promote Problem-Based Learning
• Spinning Hay into Gold: Moving from Information to Scholarship
• Developing Engaging Learning Units with PBL Templates
• Continued Discussion of "Meeting Generation NeXt: Today's Postmodern College Student

Many of the presentations from the two days have been added to the ODCE web site. They have also created a conference blog.