Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Problem Based Learning (PBL) for Engineering Education in India: Need and Recommendations

  • Published:
Wireless Personal Communications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Historical footprint of problem based learning (PBL) could be traced back at McMasters University, Canada 1968. Since then, PBL is enriched with development in the literature and multiple PBL models across the world. PBL, has gained importance in modern era of higher education as it has been implemented in many universities across the world in higher education. Although, world is weighing up for PBL and its positive outcomes, it could not extend much in Indian higher education. An objective of this manuscript is to give an overview of PBL across the world and in India. In addition to this, Indian higher education landscape and scope of PBL to Indian engineering education is discussed. Article ends with some recommendations to ensure growth of PBL in India.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. ABET (2012). Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, http://www.abet.org/uploadedFiles/Accreditation/Accreditation_Process/Accreditation_Documents/Current/abet-eac-criteria-2011-2012.pdf, Assessed 10th Dec 2012.

  2. Abhonkar, P., Harode, A., & Sawant, N. (2011). Effect of projects on learning: An indian case study, PBL across the disciplines: research into best practice. In 3rd International Research Symposium on PBL 2011 (pp. 489–501). U.K.: Coventry University, 28–29 November 2011.

  3. Agarwal, P. (2006). Higher education in India, the need for change, June 2006. Working Paper no-180. New Delhi.

  4. AICTE (2012). http://www.aicte-india.org, assessed on Aug 2012.

  5. Barrows, H. S. (1996). Problem based learning in medicine and beyond: A brief overview. In Wilkerson, L., Gilselaers, H. (Eds.) Bringing problem based learning to higher education theory and practice. san Francisco CA: Jossy Bass Inc. http://www.personal.ps.edu/wxh139/PBL.html.

  6. Blom, A., & Saeki, H. (2009). Employability and skill set of newly graduated engineers in India. Bank Policy Research Working Paper Series, Vol. 11.

  7. Cheng, C. (2003). Introducing Student-centred teaching strategies to improve teaching and learning, in theory of machines and mechanism, the China papers, July 2003, pp. 5–9.

  8. Dochy, F., Segersb, M., den Bosscheb, P. V., & Gijbelsb, D. (2003). Effects of problem-based learning: A meta-analysis. Learning and Instruction, 13, 533–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Du, X. Y., & Kolmos, A. (2006). Process competencies in a problem and project based learning environment. In 35th SEFI annual conference: Engineering education and active students. Sweden: Uppsala.

  10. Dunlap, J. C. (2005). Problem-based learning and self-efficacy: How a Capstone course prepares students for a profession. Educational Technology Research and Design, 53(1), 65–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Eck, J. C., & Mathews, D. G. (2002). A sample of assessment findings related to Samford University’s PBL Initiative.

  12. Graaff, E. D., & Kolmos, A. (2003). Characteristics of problem-based learning. International Journal of Engineering and Education, 19(5), 657–662.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Graaff, E. D., Kolmos, A., & Du, X. (2009). Diversity of PBL; PBL learning principles and models. Research on PBL practices in engineering education (pp. 9–21). Sense publishers.

  14. Joshi, R. K., & Joshi, M. (2011). Problem based learning in engineering at the Institute of Engineering: Prospects cum challenges. Journal of the Institute of Engineering, 8.1(2), 291–300.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Khairiyah M. Y., Hamid, M. K. A., Hassan, A., Ariffin, M., Hassim, M. H., Hassan, S., Helmi, S. A., & Khairiyah, Z. T. (2005). Outcomes of PBL implementation from students’ perspectives. In Proceedings of the regional conference on engineering education, Johor, Malaysia, Dec 12–13.

  16. Kolmos, A., Fink, F., & L, Krogh. (2004). The Aalborg model: Problem based project organized learning (1st ed.). Aalborg: The Aalborg University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Mantri, A., Dutt, S., Gupta, J., & Chitkara, M. (2008). Design & evaluation of PBL-based course in analog electronics. IEEE Transactions on Education, 51(4), 432–438.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Moore, A., & Willmot, P. (2003). PBLE-Guidelines for PBL in Engineering. In Proceedings of the international conference on engineering education, 2003. University of Nottingham.

  19. NKC (2006). Knowledge Commission, Report to the Nation, 2006–2009, http://www.knowledgecommission.gov.in/downloads/report2009/eng/report09.pdf, Assessed 10th August 2012.

  20. O’Grady, G, & Alvis, W. A. M. (2002). One day one problem: PBL at republic polytechnic, 4th Asia-Pacific Conference On PBL. Thailand: Hatyai.

  21. Perkin, H. (2006). History of universities. In: Forest, J. J. F., Altbach, P. G. (Eds.) International handbook of higher education. Dodrecht, The Netherlands: Springer (pp. 186–187) in Agarwal, 2006, Higher education in India, the need for, change, June 2006.

  22. Raghav, M. S., Jain, S. & Saha, S. K. (2008). Robotic competition based education in engineering (RoC-BEE). In Proceedings of NCMSTA’08 conference national conference on mechanism science and technology: from theory to application national institute of technology (pp. 1-11). Hamirpur, 13–14 November 2008.

  23. Rao. (2006). Rao Committee Report. Faculty Development In India, July 2006.

  24. Rhem, J. (1998). Problem based learning: An introduction. The National Teaching and Learning Forum, 8(1), 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Rojter, J. (2006). PBL as means to better engineering education?. Melbourne City: Victoria University.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Shinde, V. & Kolmos, A. (2011a). PBL in engineering education: Drivers and challenges. In Proceedings of International Conference WVITAE2011 (p. 42), 28 Feb–3 Mar 2011.

  27. Shinde, V., & Kolmos, A. (2011b). Students experiences. In Aalborg PBL Model: A Case Study, SEFI Annual Conference. Lisbon, 27–30 September 2011.

  28. Shinde, V. (2011c). Relevance of the problem and project based learning (PBL) to the Indian engineering education, across the disciplines: research into best practice. In 3rd international research symposium on PBL (pp. 489–501). U.K.: Coventry University, 28–29 November 2011.

  29. Uden, L., & Dix, A. (2004). Lifelong learning for software engineers. International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life Long Learning, 14(1–2), 101–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Yashpal (2010) Yashpal Committee, Report of The Committee to Advise on Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education, http://www.hindu.com/nic/yashpalcommitteereport.pdf, Assessed 23d Sept 2011.

  31. Thongchai, Y. & Temdee, P. (2012). IT-PBL model and implementation framework for Mae Fae Lung University, case study: school of information technology. In 1st international conference on “Mobility for Life: Technology, telecommunication and PBL (pp. 61). Mae Fae Lung University Chiang Rai, Thailand, 5–7th March 2012.

Download references

Acknowledgments

We would like to thanks the European Union for funding this research through Mobility for Life Scholarship programme. Also, authors would like to thank students and staff members of Aalborg University and Indian institute without their inputs and feedback this research could not be possible.We would like to thank the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department for permitting us to conduct this research and for valuable suggestions. Finally, we are thankful to our friends for their feedback on the manuscript and for the language check.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UNESCO Chair in PBL, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark

    Vikas V. Shinde

  2. Vishwa Niketan, Mumbai University, Mumbai, India

    S. S. Inamdar

Authors
  1. Vikas V. Shinde
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. S. Inamdar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vikas V. Shinde.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shinde, V.V., Inamdar, S.S. Problem Based Learning (PBL) for Engineering Education in India: Need and Recommendations. Wireless Pers Commun 69, 1097–1105 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-013-1069-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-013-1069-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation