STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING SUPPORTED BY A WEB-BASED SYSTEM

Abstract

This paper reports the students' perceptions towards learning Systems Analysis through problem-based learning (PBL) with a Web-based system in the fall of 1999. Problem-based learning is a promising recent development in tertiary education that uses problem cases to enable students to acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This learning approach promotes student-centered learning and collaborative learning. A Web-based system has been developed with the functionality to support the various stages of the problem-based learning /teaching strategy. The technological support assists collaborative learning through the sharing of resources, and to enhance the communication of students. The questionnaire survey feedback of 53 students yielded some interesting results. This paper presents the students' perceptions of PBL approach to learning including the time spent in the PBL processes, the problems that they encountered in the PBL processes, and their comments on PBL.