Draft problem-based learning process for this course

All steps except independent studies and lecture-on-demand take place in groups.

Session 1:

• Problem statement and introduction of new concepts. The teacher presents the problem for groups to examine, and introduces new concepts.

Study period 1:

• Independent studies to learn the new concepts and algorithms. Use the course book, online materials, do exercises, draw pictures, write code, run experiments, meet/talk/chat with your group members, or whatever works best for you. Try to obtain a good ("deep") understanding of key concepts and algorithms and how they work and behave.
• Identification of topics that would benefit from teaching. Submit at least one question which was raised while studying. It can be a point that is in your view of particular interest, an issue that you would like to discuss in class. The more questions and the more discussion and better insight they generate, the better...

Session 2:

• Discussion of learned material 1. Meet in groups to discuss and compare what you have learned and to teach eachother what you have understood best.
• Lecture on demand. Based on feedback from the students, a short lecture will be organized on topics they want to learn more about.
• Brainstorming. Return the problem, and discuss freely how the new (and old) concepts and algorithms could be used to solve the problem? Are there many different ways? What kind of algorithms are needed? What could the results look like? What kind of issues are there? Bring up and discuss concepts, principles and hypotheses, but do not go into details yet.
• Sketching a plan. Analyse, structure, and evaluate results from your brainstorm. Formulate an exact goal (or goals) you want reach, e.g., the output that you want to produce and that would be useful for the original problem. Outline a plan to reach the goal, e.g., to design and test the method.
• Setting learning objectives. Identify what you need and want to learn to implement the plan. Write down the objectives for learning.

Study period 2:

• Study independently. Study towards your learning objectives (see above). Try to reach goal you had identified, i.e., find a solution to the original problem.

Session 3:

• Discussion of learned material 2. Meet in groups to discuss and share your learnings. Learn with and from others. Also identify problems and open issues. Evaluate how the group worked and how you reached the learning objectives.
• Debriefing and closing the problem (see Reporting).

Principles for working

In this course, you are supposed to

• Discuss and work on the assignments with other students
• Learn from others and help others learn
• Take responsibility of your group
• Trust your group members, and show your trust by being open to them
• Ask others for help, and help others
• Be honest and openin all reporting
• Enjoy (collaborative and collective) learning!

You are NOT supposed to

• Delegate learning within the group
  •       (You may delegate tasks, but take care that all members eventually learn the course contents)
• Compete with your group members or other groups
• Free ride (i.e., let others work for you) nor tolerate free riding
• Copy material from other students or other sources
  • (Reusing and adapting ideas is ok, provided that in your report you synthesise something original from them and learn in the process, and that you clearly indicate what is borrowed and from where)