University of Tampere, Faculty of Education and
Lahti Polytechnic organize an 
International Conference on
Problem-Based Learning
9-11 June 2005
Lahti, Finland
PBL IN CONTEXT
– BRIDGING WORK AND EDUCATION
The aim of the conference is to provide an innovative international forum for discussion and for generating and sharing new ideas for the pedagogical development of working life and education. We welcome teachers from different disciplines, researchers, developers and trainers of working life to come together to the land of the midnight sun.
The main themes of the conference are
Problem-based learning in context:
- Epistemology and Praxis
- Curriculum and learning environments
- Professional Development and Learning management
- Evaluation and Assessment
The conference is also a continuation for PBL conferences organized 1995 and 2000 by University of Linköping, Sweden.
Background
The rapid changes in work have challenged the relationship between working life and education. Lifelong learning in general, and demand for continuous development of skills, knowledge and attitudes needed in working life in particular have resulted in a call for new ways to organise learning. The knowledge gained in education becomes quickly outdated and looses its value for working life. The skills and knowledge needed in working life cannot all be taught during formal schooling and training. Working life requires new kinds of competencies including independent knowledge acquisition and application, problem solving, co-operative and multidimensional professional skills and abilities for continuing learning.
Problem-based learning has been one of the approaches to bridge the gap between work and education. PBL is an educational approach that has been adopted in various educational institutions around the world. Some business organisations have also organised their personnel development according to the PBL approach.
The introduction of PBL curriculum has implications at all levels of the educational institution. Education is organised in thematically integrated multidisciplinary units. The themes of the units are related to the real-world problems professionals have to deal with. Tutorial groups and self-study are the heart of the PBL curriculum. This has implications for timetables, organisation and necessary facilities. Other study activities are complementing the tutorial groups, such as resource lectures, workshops and skills training. The curriculum reform work is demanding but rewarding.