Intersections of Problem-Based Learning
Pages in this section: 1 | 2 |
3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8  State the Problem
It might seem odd to have a whole area of Problem-Based Learning devoted
to stating the problem. Wasn't the problem already stated for you in
the Meet the Problem scenario? It
is true that you are introduced to the problem right away, but if the
problem is truly ill-structured and as messy as it should be, it will
take some time to sort out what exactly the problem is. In this step,
you review what you know and need to know, and then state the problem
in your own words.
Tips for Stating the Problem
Three of life's deepest questions will help you state the
problem:
Who am I? | The problem scenario will
give you an identity or a role to play as you proceed through the problem
and its solution. You are assigned the role of teacher, church council
member, parent, student, or someone else. When you state the problem,
state it from the perspective of the role you are playing in the scenario.
Where
am I going? | Eventually, you will want to solve the
problem you are stating. As you write a statement of the problem,
think about how will you know when you are done with the activity.
Where are you going? Phrase the problem in such a way that you
will have a clear sense of what the goal is of the work you have
left to do.
How do you eat an elephant? |
Answer: one bite at at time. Eating an elephant
and stating a problem have at least one thing in common: dividing
the whole project  into
smaller pieces makes it easier. When you state your problem, divide
it into chunks wherever that is possible. What are the three or
four sub-problem areas you need to pay attention to? Where you
can, phrase your problem so that these subtopics stand out in a
list.
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