Nursing takes Problem Based Learning under the loop

The Department of Nursing Science at the North West University, Mafikeng Campus and the School of Nursing at the McMaster University in Canada hosted a workshop to take the practical and interactive experience with the Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach to education under the loop. The four day workshop that was held in August on the Mafikeng Campus, was the results of a colloquium between the two universities earlier this year.

At that colloquium the use of PBL as a teaching/learning strategy and the positive outcomes thereof including interpersonal skills, critical thinking, teamwork and self-directed learning were highlighted. The follow up workshop in August, covered all that educators needed to know about the implementation of PBL through intense experiential and practical activities. The workshop also helped the participants to learn how to: develop a comprehensive understanding of PBL as a teaching strategy and philosophy; acquire the necessary competencies to develop problem based learning packages; develop and manage collaborative learning processes; develop learning facilitation skills; and acquire the knowledge and skills to conduct credible assessments using appropriate PBL assessment theories.

The workshop attracted over 130 educators from various universities and nursing colleges across South Africa, Botswana and Canada as well as policy makers, administrators and book publishers. The need for similar workshops and collaboration between participating institutions in implementing the PBL strategy were also identified.