PBL stands for Problem-Based Learning. PBL is a student-centered approach in which students learn about a subject by working in groups to solve an open-ended problem.

PBL is guided by the following principles.

Learning principles

• • as the name implies, PBL is problem-based.
  • It is a form of contextual learning
  • It is a form of experiential learning (learning via experience)
  • Students learn together in groups around a project to solve open-ended problems
  • It is activity-based (research, project management, etc.)

Social principles

• • PBL is participant-directed
  • It promotes collaborative/team-based learning

Content principles

• • With PBL students can map theory with practice. This is often in collaboration with the industry.
  • Students can extract knowledge from another discipline to support the domain-based knowledge needed to solve the problem. So, it is interdisciplinary.
  • Students practice as they learn and learn as they practice
  • Students can learn in an iterative manner (double loop learning)

PBL was first introduced in higher education institutions for medical studies at McMaster University, Canada in 1969.  In Denmark, it was first introduced at Roskilde University in 1972 and has been the learning philosophy for Aalborg University since its inception in 1974. PBL was introduced in Denmark as an alternative learning method to traditional instructor-based learning. Today it is widely used as a teaching method in different levels of education in some Danish schools.