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Geoscience Research and Outreach pp 55–77Cite as

Problem-Based Learning in the Field Setting

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Part of the book series: Innovations in Science Education and Technology ((ISET,volume 21))

Abstract

Conventional approaches in field instruction processes are often teacher centred, leaving little space for students to engage in collaborative inquiry, progressive problem solving, and self-directed learning. In contrast, problem-based learning (PBL) is highly scaffolded and is an inquiry-based learning process, which engages students in complex problem-solving environments to acquire and integrate their knowledge and skills. Supported by the Quality Education Fund of Hong Kong, the authors introduced a PBL approach to field-based learning to train local teachers through an educational research project. This innovative approach significantly enhanced the collateral development of knowledge, higher-order thinking, positive attitudes, perseverance, and ability of students to improvise in unforeseen situations. This chapter documents how school teachers were supported by the project team to conduct PBL in the field setting to enhance ways of student learning. The factors that make PBL become an effective field instruction and the considerations for its successful implementation are further explained and discussed.

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Acknowledgements

 Funding from HKSAR Quality Education Secretariat and financial and logistics support by the University of Hong Kong for the project described in this study are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Lung Sang Chan

  2. Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

    Loretta M. W. Ho

Authors
  1. Lung Sang Chan
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  2. Loretta M. W. Ho
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Correspondence to Lung Sang Chan .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of London, UK, London, United Kingdom

    Vincent C. H. Tong

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Chan, L.S., Ho, L.M.W. (2014). Problem-Based Learning in the Field Setting. In: Tong, V. (eds) Geoscience Research and Outreach. Innovations in Science Education and Technology, vol 21. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6943-4_5

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