Threshold Concepts in Problem-based Learning

Threshold Concepts in Problem-based Learning provides a critical discussion and guidance for educational researchers, teachers, innovators and policy makers wanting to explore the interrelationship of PBL and threshold concepts. Beginning with an introduction to both areas and offering an overview of the current issues, this volume delivers 11 innovative, research-based chapters from around the world. It outlines the major threshold concepts faced by those disciplines that have adopted PBL, and then examines the impact of threshold concepts on student learning. What is unique about this text is the way it examines PBL as a pedagogy in which students get stuck in the learning process and the thresholds they encounter as they learn to adapt.

Maggi Savin-Baden is Professor of Higher Education Research, University of Worcester and has researched and evaluated staff and student experience of learning for over 20 years. Maggi has a strong publication record of over 50 research publications and 15 books which reflect her research interests in digital fluency, pedagogical agents, qualitative research synthesis, arts-based inquiry, digital tethering and problem-based learning.

Gemma Tombs has experience researching and evaluating pedagogical practices on a wide variety of topics, including multi-disciplinary problem-based learning, networked learning, and conservation pedagogy. She has published research on innovative pedagogical and evaluative practices in virtual worlds, pedagogical agents, and open education across a number of disciplines.