PBL: Pros and Cons.

[budhak0n]

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Since it's such a small percentage of admitted students. For instance, in UMDNJ-SOM's literature they state there is room in a class of 100 or so for 6 students to enter the PBL ( Problem Based Learning) Program... I was wondering if there were any members out there who have 1- First hand experience with this type of program or 2- some opinion as to the pros and cons or a Problem Based Learning Curriculum versus a standard classroom setting...

Any comments would be appreciated . Let's hear what you think about these programs.

 

[Jpc984]

Since it's such a small percentage of admitted students. For instance, in UMDNJ-SOM's literature they state there is room in a class of 100 or so for 6 students to enter the PBL ( Problem Based Learning) Program... I was wondering if there were any members out there who have 1- First hand experience with this type of program or 2- some opinion as to the pros and cons or a Problem Based Learning Curriculum versus a standard classroom setting...

Any comments would be appreciated . Let's hear what you think about these programs.

I heard a disadvantage of PBL is if you get behind you stay lost. If they give you a case... and you do not have a solid background, you may not know where to start.

 

[Kappy1]

I am not part of a PBL program but from speaking to people; here are a few pro's and con's. PBL allows students to make some decisions regarding their own education. If a disease interests you, the faculty facilitator can bring a case study that you can go through. The purpose is to get students asking the proper questions. It usually has small groups of students. The flip side is that you have to do alot of research on your own. Professor's are not spoon feeding you the information. It really depends on your own study habits if you like the PBL style or not.

 

[scpod]

Any comments would be appreciated . Let's hear what you think about these programs.

Obviously I'm a fan because 320 students at a time in my school are learning through PBL. However, you might want to make use of the PBL Mentor Forum here on SDN. You can read the FAQ (Still a work in progress, I think) and ask any questions you have.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=410585

 

[MSmentor018]

yeah, richie and I are the mentors on that thread in mentors forum. come on over and check it out! He's already put up a bunch of pro/cons info about PBL. plus ask us any questions, we'll be glad to answer them....or make it up! just kidding.

 

[sddoc]

I loved PBL. Because you start with case studies from the very first day, I think you have a leg up when it comes to starting rotations. It really helps you think through a problem clinically and helps you to put your book learning into practice. PM me with any questions about PBL.