PBCL Basics

What Is PBCL?

The PBCL approach enables educators to design learning based on current and authentic problematic situations encountered at local businesses. By bringing real-time, real-world business needs to their students, instructors can significantly minimize the barriers that typically separate the classroom from the real world.

Where Is It Used?

Secondary and post-secondary education
Introductory through capstone-level courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
Whole courses or course segments

What Does It Include?

PBCL serves as a curriculum organizer, toolkit, and instructional strategy to support the development of knowledge, skills and attitudes needed in the workforce. Among the components of PBCL that instructors find valuable are:

Resources for finding and collaborating with local business partners
Guidelines for integrating problematic business situations into the curriculum
Processes for establishing an effective structure for the learning experience
Criteria for assessing student work and deliverables
Methods for instruction that support engaged student learning

What Are Its Benefits?

PBCL's benefits extend from the individual student, to the community, and on to the broader economy.

Benefits to Students

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Students participating in PBCL:

Demonstrate improved learning and retention of course content
More effectively transfer knowledge, skills, and attitudes to new environments and situations
Build problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, and teamwork skills essential in the workplace

Benefits to Instructors

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Instructors participating in PBCL:

Are better able to create and manage a highly effective classroom environment, regardless of their experience level
Are better able to prepare their students for subsequent STEM education and for the workplace
Find their work more enjoyable and stimulating

Benefits to Business Partners

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Business Partners participating in PBCL:

Help develop a better-prepared future workforce by contributing to the development of learning experiences
Gain the unique opportunity to groom and recruit talent
Acquire additional resources to address and resolve current business needs