Self-assessment videos
Here are some short videos that explain aspects of the Law School and, in particular, how PBL works. Please watch the videos below, and then think about the questions that follow.
For filming reasons, the groups are smaller than a usual PBL group (of around 12 students).
What is PBL?
This includes students’ thoughts on PBL and why they think it is suited to them.
The views identify out the practical nature of this style of learning, with a strong focus on application (though it also includes a strong theoretical underpinning).
Very importantly, they explain how the approach is much more ‘participative’ than a traditional lecture-based programme. Students spend a lot of their time here doing things and working collaboratively.
The students also discuss how skills development is an integral part of their studies, to help them with that practical application.
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Do you think that you learn best by practical application, debate and discussion, or do you prefer to have information and ideas provided for you?
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Do you enjoy working with others (which may mean relying on them, to some degree), or do you prefer to study on your own?
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How interested are you in developing practical, as well academic, skills, such as team-working or negotiation?
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Does the approach described make sense to you?
Seven stages of PBL
Here, one of our academics describes how PBL works.
This is a structured process designed to guide students through deep analysis of a problem, identifying the various perspectives and issues that need to be researched, undertaking that research, and then discussing and applying the knowledge gained to the problem.
Think about how the PBL process may differ from and/or be similar to your current and previous studies.
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Why do you think the various stages are included?
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Does this look like the kind of environment you would like to learn in?
PBL overview
This video is a little different in that it illustrates PBL with a different group of students working through the PBL process, without any discussion. It captures the whole PBL process in around 90 seconds, when that would usually comprise one week. You would also usually work on more than one problem at a time.
Have a look at the various roles that are being undertaken here – who is doing what – as well the process being followed.
Note the role of the tutor, who is working with the group, rather than leading it. The person responsible for that is actually the ‘Chair’ who is a student. Note that there is also a ‘Scribe’ – a student who is responsible for capturing the discussion and the outputs from that (as well as contributing their thoughts). Students take turns acting as Chair and Scribe and so have the opportunity to practice and develop these elements of team-working, as well as what we might think of a more ‘law-related’ skills.
Also note how the research stages mean that the process includes independent, as well as collaborative, learning.
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How happy are you with taking on these kinds of roles and responsibilities?
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Can you see any challenges that may arise and, if so, how might you try to deal with these?