COMPARING

PROBLEM BASED LEARNING AND WEBQUESTS 

WHAT THEY AREN'T

  • “Write a report on ..” in which information is copied
  • Only knowledge and comprehension levels of thinking are addressed

In comparing PBL and WebQuests, think spectrum instead of black and white

PROBLEM BASED LEARNING AND WEBQUESTS SIMILARITIES

  • Foster higher level thinking - analysis, creative thinking, critical thinking.
  • An introduction is given that sets the stage including some background information. The introduction may be presented using documents or a web page.
  • Students are put into a situation in which they confront adult type problems (fuzzy - not cookbook type).
  • Students are actively engaged with learning and are empowered to determine the outcome.
  • Students at beginning have insufficient information.
  • There is no one "right" or "correct" answer to the problem.
  • The solution to the problem is not done using a step-by-step approach, but rather in a method that often changes the solution as new information is added.
  • Students need best solution possible by a given date.
  • Learning could involve a single academic discipline or integrated disciplines.
  • Performance is authentically assessed using the same rubrics for all.
  • Teachers assume an active role of instructing and coaching.

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR BOTH ARE CRITICAL

  • Library
    • Librarian
    • Print Materials
  • Web Sources Links
    • Searchable databases (Encyclopedias, Magazines, Newspapers, etc.)
    • Search Engines
  • Experts
    • face to face
    • on-line conference
    • e-mail or
    • bulletin board
The teacher must make sure that enough information is available to the students.
PBL AND WEBQUESTS DIFFERENCES

Structure

  • PBL generally is more ill structured than WebQuest
Student Role
  • PBL
    • Students generally define the problems and conditions for resolution.
    • Students decide how to access, evaluate and utilize information.
    • Students usually determine their own strategies for defining the problem, seeking information, analyzing and testing the data and making a productt.
    • Students usually determine their own roles.
  • WebQuest
    • Students are supplied the conditions for resolution of the problem.
    • Students are supplied with key questions to answer and concepts to investigate.
    • Students are usually assigned clearly defined roles.
Information
  • PBL
    • Students are expected to take a more active role in determining the best information sources.
  • WebQuest
    • Pointers to information are suggested or provided.
Process
  • PBL
    • The process students take to reach their goals is ill defined at the beginning and are determined by the students, perhaps with appropriate coaching.
  • WebQuest
    • The process is mapped out in clearly defined steps.
    • Guidance is given on how to organize information.
Product
  • PBL
    • Student products (way of presenting solution) may vary more than WebQuests.
  • WebQuest
    • Student products are usually asked to be of the same type.
Learning
  • PBL
    • Since students develop their own strategies for defining the type of problem, the information needed and how to obtain information and analyze the information, they therefore "learn how to learn"!
  • WebQuest
    • Students are "given" more structure and sources of information. They usually don't learn how to establish the kinds of roles necessary nor as much on information gathering as in PBL. They may know less of "learning how to learn".


For a comparison between PBL and Inquiry-Based Learning see Engaging Students through Inquiry-Based Learning and Problem-Based Learning from the North Cook Intermediate Service Region.
 
 

Copyright © 1998-2002 Richard Levine

This site is for non-profit, educational use only. If you have any comments, questions or resources you would like to see added to this page, contact  Rich Levine, Cool Lessons, Educational Technology Consultant

Permission granted to use the WebQuest materials by Dr. Bernie Dodge, San Diego State University. More information can be found at the WebQuest Page.

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