What is it about?
We explore how the use of social networking and interprofessional collaboration is transforming problem-based learning (PBL). Specifically, we describe an interprofessional PBL program where dentistry students from the University of Sydney and architecture students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong worked together to address the issue of limited community awareness of preventive caries management. The program utilized social networking as a platform for collaboration, allowing peers and facilitators from both countries to develop solutions for effectively communicating oral health messages to diverse community groups. While all groups were able to generate effective design solutions, our study emphasized the need for adjustments in the program's support structure to enhance online engagement. We also highlight the potential of social networking to expand the use of PBL across geographic and professional boundaries, provided that effective real-time communication can be achieved.
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Why is it important?
We demonstrate how collaborative learning through social networking can bridge the expertise of different professions to address real-world challenges, such as limited community awareness of preventive caries management. By bringing dentistry and architecture students together, we demonstrate how interprofessional collaboration generates effective design solutions that address complex issues related to oral health communication. Additionally, we emphasize the significance of leveraging social networking platforms for synchronous engagement across international and professional boundaries, offering the potential to extend the impact of problem-based learning beyond traditional constraints. Ultimately, we show the value of interdisciplinary cooperation and innovative educational approaches in tackling societal issues, contributing to advancing education and community health awareness.
Perspectives
From our perspective, our research underscores the transformative potential of interprofessional collaboration and social networking in problem-based learning. By bringing together students from different disciplines, such as dentistry and architecture, to address real-world challenges, we highlight the value of diverse perspectives in generating innovative solutions. Moreover, using social networking platforms as a medium for collaboration offers the opportunity to transcend geographical and professional boundaries, fostering collective intelligence and extending the impact of problem-based learning beyond traditional constraints. Our approach not only enriches the educational experience for students but also holds promise for addressing complex societal issues, ultimately contributing to the advancement of education and community health awareness.
Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel
Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Changing Face of Problem-Based Learning: Social Networking and Interprofessional Collaboration, November 2011, Springer Science + Business Media,
DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-2515-7_8.
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