Perceptions of Students about Problem Based Learning at the College Level in Faisalabad

Problem-based learning is viewed as more effective than the traditional learning approaches usually practices at the college level. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyse the perceptions of college students about problem-based learning followed by its advantages and impacts on the students. A total of 120 college students were selected from the two colleges (Government Postgraduate College Samanabad and Government Postgraduate College of Science) in the Faisalabad District of Punjab province. Considering the proportionate sampling, a total of 52 and 68 students from the Government Postgraduate College of Science and Government Postgraduate College Samanabad were selected respectively. Data were collected from the students using a questionnaire and collected data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The students had a high level of knowledge that Problem-Based Learning (PBL) motivated them, had positive impacts on the communication and leadership skills of the students and also fostered the knowledge, attitude and skills of students further improving the student’s academic performance. Creativity and adoption of advanced approaches (Mean: 4.03; Sd: 0.733), solution of any particular problem (Mean: 4.00; Sd: 0.889) and positive behaviour and character (Mean: 3.98; Sd: 0.957) were perceived as leading supporting factors towards the use of Problem-Based Learning Approach. This study concludes that PBL was more effective as compared to traditional approaches, thus it can be generalized at the colleges level to improve the knowledge, attitude and skills level of students. More research studies are also needed to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the PBL at schools and colleges level.