SUCCESSFUL PBL SESSION

ISSAM BARRIMAH

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF TUTOR IN PBL

What is the function of the tutor in PBL session

How directive should the tutor be? What are the necessary facilitating skills he

should have? Should the tutor be a content expert? Should the tutor transmit information? How

much, when and how?

Questions

To develop clinical reasoning skills, critical thinking and decision making strategies

To foster self-directed learning To achieve integration across disciplines

To promote small group learning To prepare students for life long learning To acquire skills of team work

OBJECTIVES OF PBL

Every one has the right to express his view

Debate rather than argue issues Do not spend too much time on one issue

Respect each other Focus on discussion and avoid side talks

KEEP GROUND RULES

Attendance and punctuality are mandatory

All mobile phones should be turned off

Group should use white board as they discuss

Group should not make short cuts or skip a step

Problem should be discussed in the outlined sequence

SOME RULES ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE

There is inconclusive debate as to whether the best PBL tutor are subject

expert or not

Differing definitions of expertise,

Expectations of the role of the PBL tutor, and

The structure and context of the PBL environment.

Answer to Debate

Raising awareness◦To expand the group discussion on to a higher cognitive level

Facilitating the group process◦To ensuring that the group process flowed well

Directing learning◦To signal an end to the students’ discussion

Tutor Intervention

Evaluating SummarizingGiving feedback

InformingDirecting learning

ElicitationRe-elicitation PromptingRefocusing Facilitating

Techniques Used by Tutors

Tutor should find a balance between dominating the

session or completely detaching himself from the

discussion

Tutor should abandon his paternalistic attitude towards students and consider them

novice colleagues

Authority & Authoritarianism

Silence High anxiety Confusion about what student should do

Central issue is trust vs mistrust Testing each others & leader Request for greater leader involvement

Characteristics of forming

Be clear about task expectation Respect all group members Provide positive feedback Encourage students participation Remain neutral Listen accurately

Tutor Role in Forming

Conflict Competition over leadership, power, authority

Students molds ideas, feeling , attitude to suit the group

Therefore, some students remain silent while others dominate

Characteristics of Storming

Adopt win-win approach Listen carefully to every one Provide support to every one Clarify the importance of every one role

Tutor Role in Storming

More acquainted with each other Active acknowledgment of others Develop sense of group belonging Feeling of relief More interaction High creativity Openness and sharing information

Characteristics of Norming

Group work independently Tutor provide feedback when necessary

Try to avoid your temptation to provide knowledge

Tutor Role in Norming

Not all groups reach this stage Interdependence High morale & loyalty to group Group is now task oriented

Performing

Student center Creates a motivation environment Manages time and process Uses questions effectively Manages group dynamics Ensures constructive feedback

Characteristics of Effective Tutor

Interrupting students Over-participating, directing Telling too many stories Promoting competition rather than

cooperation Dictating pace/ rushing things Not encouraging students to go to board Not punishing students hard enough or

punishing to hard

Students Criticize the Following Tutor

Join the group as participant Do not dominate the group Remind the group about previous topics

Any intervention should be to help the learning process

Encourage students to focus their discussion

Hints For Effective Tutor

Professional Behaviorsin

Tutorials

Listen carefully (verbally, non-verbally) Behavior should not be rude nor patronizing Do not humiliate group members for opinion

or information Differentiate value of information from

value of a person Acknowledge contribution Does not interrupt inappropriately Apologize when late or gives reason

Respect

Be punctual Identifies irrelevant or excessive

information Takes initiatives to maintain group dynamics Accept priority of tutorial time Describe strength or weakness in supportive

manner Give prior notice of intended absence

Responsibility

Speaks directly to group members Use understandable words Use open-ended questions Avoid judgmental questions Resolve misunderstanding Accept and discuss emotional issues non-verbal is consistent with verbal

behavior Respond to non-verbal communication of

group members

Communication Skills

Role of tutor is different from teacher’s role

He is a facilitator of the learning process

However, he is not passive but active

Responsibility is Different

THANK YOU