Problem Based Learning

We are now in the applied section of our occupational therapy education at my school. So, over the last week we have been experiencing 'problem-based learning' (PBL) activities. Problem based learning is basically where students collaborate to solve real world occupation therapy problems. Every class period we get a bit more information about the case, in the form of doctor's notes, social worker's notes, or psychiatrists notes, just as if we were real occupational therapists. One of the most interesting things is that students do EVERYTHING. The instructors are only facilitators. So, they don't really say much. We, the students, sit in our groups, review the 'problem,' and direct our own learning process. The instructors jump in every now and again to guide our learning but that has generally been the extent of it.

I actually like this process, although it is a little frustrating because I am still new at this and need a bit more guidance. Our case has been a gentlemen named Tom, a 28 y.o. Caucasian male who has AIDS. Tom has been admitted due to complications of pneumonia and lymphadenopathy. He also shows signs of depression, isolation and loneliness.

What's interesting is that this PBL scenario is part of our Human Development course. So, one of the challenges is to determine how this disease, and his reaction to it, is affecting normal early adulthood development. This includes normal physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development. It's very interesting.