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PBL stands for Practice-Based Learning. It is a method of teaching where faculty focus on developing skills to help students thrive in the workplace and/or in graduate or professional school. The emphasis is on providing students with applied experiences, learning by doing, and viewing problems from a variety of perspectives.

Where do I find PBL?

PBL is incorporated into a large number of CASL courses. Some of these courses include projects, assignments, or activities that focus on applying or practicing key concepts. Others focus on skill building (internships, research experience, study abroad), while still others emphasize understanding,studying, or working in Dearborn and Detroit, or taking a global perspective to real world problems.

We are working on a system to help students determine the level of PBL in their courses. You will soon see these designations in the course schedule.

• PBL Fundamental:These courses will typically include smaller course assignments to provide students with practice in applying key PBL concepts. They will focus on problem-solving and decision-making skills, and the application of knowledge to concrete scenarios, issues, or problems.
• PBL Process: These courses will typically include a project that builds throughout the semester. Students will work with their classmates to apply course concepts to community, industry, government, and societal problems.
• PBL Engage:These courses will typically include doing some work outside the classroom,engagingwithlocalneighborhoods,nonprofitorganizations,businesses,orlocalgovernment.

Is PBL required?

• PBL is not a requirement. It is an approach that you will find in many CASL courses so that you will be getting some PBL in your courses without even trying. However, we are working to provide you with a PBL designation in the course schedule so that you know what to expect in a course before enrolling in it.

How Will PBL Help me?

As you work on course projects and apply core concepts you will gain experience and skills (e.g.,critical thinking, problem-solving, team functioning, demonstrating initiative) that will be useful both personally and professionally well beyond your college years. In addition, working closely with faculty and other students may enhance your feelings of shared purpose and belonging. Furthermore ,PBL will provide you with a rich source of material to use in resumes, cover letters, interviews, and graduate and professional school essays.