Asia Pacific Conference on Education: presentations by George Watson


	Plenary presentation by George Watson:
	Shifting Sand: Integrating Problem-Based Learning and Technology in Education
	(as presented)
	Given both the relentless advancements in technology and the continually changing environments and experiences of our students, how can we best proceed in our classrooms? Problem-based learning is one approach that shows great promise in making learning relevant and helping our students learn how to learn. PBL prepares students to think critically and analytically, and to find and use appropriate learning resources. Advances in instructional technology and ready access to information facilitated by ubiquitous connectivity play a critical role in the success of PBL implemented in today's classrooms. A framework for integrating PBL and technology in education will be presented along with supporting examples.

	Paper submitted for the conference:
	George Watson, with grateful acknowledgements toDeborah Allen, Janet de Vry, Barbara Duch, Susan Groh, Valerie Hans, and Harold White

	3 hour workshop presented by George Watson:
	The Power of PBL: Bringing Problem-Based Learning into Your Classroom
	(Part I, Part II)
	The fundamental tenet of problem-based instruction is that learning is initiated by a posed problem that the student wants to solve. In the problem-based approach, complex, real-world problems are used to motivate students to identify and research concepts and principles they need to understand to progress from ideas to solutions. Students work in small groups, bringing together collective skill at acquiring, communicating, and integrating information in a process that resembles that of inquiry. This workshop will demonstrate problem-based learning and model ways that PBL can be used effectively in all disciplines, in upper and lower division courses, and in all size classes.