When used in the context of learning, the “muddiest point” is the element that is most unclear or confusing to the learner. In the development of my literature I feel that I am at this point. This week I began the process of wading through the research articles that were obtained in my search of the library databases. As I review this articles I find that I am becoming confused regarding which articles are appropriate for my topic. Should I be including all of the articles in the review or selecting those that seem most closely related to my specific topic and population. It seems necessary to use literature that discusses studies on a variety of students even though my population consists of undergraduates in health professions. It also seems necessary to look at literature that discusses Problem Based Learning as a way to increase critical thinking in both the face to face and online environment. However as I consider all of the areas that I might need to explore further I am uncertain how to define the scope of my review.
Looking at the literature has also reinforced my feeling that I do not currently have a strong background in implementing Problem Based Learning. It is an area where I would like to gain a higher level of expertise especially since this is my proposed research interest. I am somewhat concerned that my lack of experience with this type of learning will hinder my ability to research its use as an educational method. I have searched for information on developing and evaluating problems for PBL. I would like to have the opportunity to work with an expert in this area in developing a problem that would be suitable for the discipline that I teach.
As I consider areas that will need to be covered in my literature review I have arrived at the following preliminary topics: PBL as a learning method, PBL and the relationship to critical thinking, the use of technology in the implementation of PBL.
