Problem-based learning is an instructional method that is said to provide students with knowledge suitable for problem solving. In order to test this assertion the process of problem-based learning is described and measured against three principles of learning: activation of prior knowledge, elaboration and encoding specificity. Some empirical evidence regarding the approach is presented.

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doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2923.1983.tb01086.x, hdl.handle.net/1765/2745
Medical Education
Department of Psychology

Schmidt, H. (1983). Problem-based learning: rationale and description. Medical Education, 17(1), 11–16. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.1983.tb01086.x