Korean J Med Educ.  2004 Aug;16(2):179-193.

A Qualitative Evaluation of Problem-Based Learning Curriculum by Students' Perceptions

• Kim JH
• Kim JY
• Son HJ
• Choi YH
• Hong KP
• Ahn BH
• Uhm DY
• Chin YE
• Seo JD

Abstract

PURPOSE
Recently established in 1997, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine was the first medical school in Korea to adopt problem-based learning (PBL) as a core curriculum from the very beginning. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the PBL curriculum from the viewpoint of the medical students. METHODS: This study used a qualitative approach to understand students' perceptions of the positive aspects of PBL. A total of 22 second-year medical students at Sungkynkwan medical school were surveyed. Student perceptions were obtained from questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The interview was designed to evoke more personal and in-depth responses. RESULTS: Students' perceptions of the effects of PBL were found to be very favorable. Most students showed positive responses on the issues of more active learning attitude, self-directed learning, motivation to study, improved problem solving, and integrated learning. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the students had a good understanding of PBL and experienced its positive aspects of PBL approach. It might be concluded that PBL was successfully implemented into the curriculum and specific and expected effects of PBL accomplished.

Keyword

Problem-based learning; Curriculum; Evaluation

MeSH Terms

Curriculum*
Evaluation Studies as Topic*
Humans
Korea
Learning
Motivation
Problem Solving
Problem-Based Learning*
Schools, Medical
Students, Medical
Surveys and Questionnaires