Objectives: 1.

At the end of my observation of a certain PBL session, I will be able to orient

myself with Problem-based Learning.
2. At the end of my observation of a certain PBL session, I will be able to gather
information on how to handle my PBL subjects in the future.
Problem-Based Learning has always been an obscurity to me. I always speculated
why many students fail mostly in their PBL subjects and why students find it very difficult but at
the same time, beneficial.
This project has provided me the opportunity to answer these questions in my mind. Our
group observed Ms. Yabis’s PBL session with the 4th year students with the topic, “Nutritional
Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus patients”. These were the things that I observed:
• The teacher asks the students anything about the subject. The questions range
from the introduction of the topic to the end, but it could also be any inquiry.
• At least one of the students should answer the questions asked by the mentor.
Often, the group would divide among themselves the topics so that the group will
be able to answer all the questions asked.
• Books are not allowed. Only notes are found in desks of students. When they
answer questions of the professor, they can read their notes, but not their books.
• A certain student writes on the board everything discussed by the group. At the
same time, another student takes notes of everything written on the board.
According to PBL students I interviewed, they set up a rotation scheme on who will
be the secretary for each PBL session.
• Students are generally concentrated on the discussion for the whole period.
At the end of my observation, I was able to reach my goals, which included orienting
myself with PBL and knowing why students find it very difficult but beneficial. I realized that in
order to survive PBLs, I have to manage my time wisely and to prioritize academics. I should
change or improve my study habits because as early as now, I have to establish a habit that’ll
help me in my subjects.
“PBL is difficult but beneficial” I assume, basing on my observations that students
consider it difficult and beneficial because they have to read and research on the topic before
they go to school. This may not seem hard, but it is hard for them because they have to do the
same thing with their other subjects, making it difficult to manage or find time to finish reading
and researching. It is beneficial because their self-directed learning before their PBL sessions
make them knowledgeable about the topic and discussions during their PBLs correct and expand
what they have learned by themselves. In connection to this, I’ll reiterate changing or improving
my study habits as early as now to cope with more difficult nurse-student years to come.