Research Article
Problem-Based Learning as a Teaching Method in Business Education
Sookmyung Women's University
Published: January 2010 · Vol. 14, No. 1 · pp. 1-16
Full Text
Abstract
Problem-Based Learning(PBL), known to be first introduced in medical schools, has been accepted in other areas as an effective educational method. But it is relatively new in business education. Unlike traditional ‘teaching’ where professors deliver knowledge to students, PBL is a self-directed learning method where students learn as they solve problems by themselves. This case described the whole process of PBL applied to International Marketing class at the author's university to provide some ideas and guidelines to business educators who seek for more effective teaching methods in their classes. The PBL class in this case consisted of three modules which covered three major international marketing decision areas; country selection, entry mode decision, and marketing mix strategy. And students were required to solve a problem in each module. In the process of problem-solving, they learn through group discussion, information search in the web, and reading textbooks. The role of the professor was confined to a helper or a facilitator while the students took the initiative in the learning process. The level of students’ involvement and satisfaction was very high. Cooperation, interaction, and communication skills among group members are also believed to be improved in the group dynamics.
