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RP’s implementation of “learning by doing” has no known counterpart in the world. This may raise the question of why RP persists in using the term ‘PBL’ in its official communication on pedagogy. This is due to the widespread currency which the term ‘PBL’ enjoys. Saying that RP has adapted PBL does not in fact do full justice to the sophisticated system of education that it has implemented. RP continues to use the term ‘PBL’ for want of a more exact term that facilitates academic discourse among its supporters and critics as well as provides a convenient term of reference for the general public.
A salient feature of RP’s pedagogy is learning on a daily basis and in groups of no more than 25. This daily activity is driven by a problem-trigger which can be an issue that needs to be resolved, a challenge that has to be met, a happening that deserves an explanation or a deeper consideration.
In RP’s learning environment, students focus on issues related to the given problem-trigger to identify relevant content, gather information and study the associated orgnanised knowledge. Students are not expected to find a pre-determined “right answer” to the problem-trigger. Instead, they grapple with the complexity of the issue and decide for themselves what information they need to handle and thus direct their own learning.
The curriculum incorporates a sequence of learning objectives which are essentially issue-based, not method-based or procedure-driven as in the conventional curriculum. As students advance in their diploma programme, they choose increasingly specialised modules that will allow them to explore selected subjects in greater depth.
In short, by adapting PBL, RP offers students a different way of intellectual advancement and skill development. By doing so, RP adds diversity to the local education scene. Through its bold adaptation of PBL, RP is steadily gaining international recognition for its contribution to education..
To find out more about the PBL experience at RP, please visit the CED website. You can also email us at pbl@rp.edu.sg.
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