Overview

Today's world brings with it a rapid explosion of easily accessible knowledge. Not only is knowledge growing at a increasingly rapid rate, but the acceptance and proliferation of Internet technology means that this information is more accessible than ever before. The expanding technology also brings with it additional social complexity with the need for multi-skilling and work-based teams. The majority of these teams are multi-disciplinary, and working in these requires additional skills and attributes.

Today graduates need to be self directed and possess lifelong learning skills. They need to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and analytical in their approach. The inter-disciplinary nature of work means that they need to be able to integrate knowledge and skills from a number of disciplines as well as have the interpersonal skills to be an effective team member.

Problem-based learning activities are designed to develop these skills and attributes (sometimes called Generic Skills/Attributes) along with the appropriate discipline specific knowledge.
Generic skills/attributes are now widely accepted and acknowledged as important outcomes from a university education and are being written into virtually every curriculum document developed today.

Further reading

Stamford PBL initiative

Adelaide University's LEAP program (.pdf)

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