What is the role of the facilitator in Problem-Based Learning (PBL)?

The Role of the Facilitator in Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

The facilitator in Problem-Based Learning serves as an active guide who directs learners to identify issues and ways to learn, rather than acting as a "content expert" who simply provides facts. 1

Core Functions of a PBL Facilitator

Guiding the Learning Process

• Facilitators model and share roles to enhance group process 2
• They guide students through the core PBL steps:
  • Presentation of the initial problem
  • Discussion of the problem and development of learning objectives
  • Independent learning focused on the objectives
  • Reconvening for discussion, exploration of new ideas, and discovery of solutions 1

Shifting from Traditional Teaching Roles

• PBL represents a liberation from the traditional role of "content expert and super consultant" 2
• Instead of delivering content through lectures, facilitators:
  • Provide flexible scaffolding that is cognitively and socially congruent with students' needs 3
  • Foster student motivation through formative evaluation 2
  • Support the activation of prior knowledge and elaboration on that knowledge 3

Supporting Skill Development

• Facilitators help students develop:
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Collaborative learning skills
  • Self-directed learning skills
  • Communication skills
  • Deeper learning approaches
  • Lifelong learning capabilities 4

Challenges and Considerations for Facilitators

• Research has identified several factors that can affect facilitator performance:

  • Large group size can make facilitation more difficult
  • Insufficient practice of facilitator skills may limit effectiveness
  • Proper preparation for the PBL approach is essential 2

• The facilitator role is pivotal to the success of PBL, as reinforced by both students and facilitators involved in the process 5

Benefits of Effective Facilitation

When facilitators perform their role effectively, PBL produces clear benefits for students:

• Increased autonomous learning
• Enhanced critical thinking
• Improved problem-solving abilities
• Better communication skills 2
• Knowledge retention for longer periods compared to traditional lecture formats 5
• Protection against student dropout and encouragement of regular study habits 3

Facilitation Strategies

• Provide cognitive and social scaffolding rather than "hard" scaffolding (worksheets or added questions) 3
• Recognize that both group collaboration and individual knowledge acquisition contribute equally to learning in PBL 3
• Allow time for students to develop personal agency in self-study, as this skill develops gradually 3
• Create situations that arouse interest to drive learning 3

The facilitator's ability to balance guidance without dominating the learning process is essential for successful PBL implementation across various educational settings, particularly in healthcare education where integrative, bio-psycho-social understanding and teamwork are crucial 1.