Cultivating problem-solving skills through problems-based approaches to professional development

An extensive literature review was conducted of 4 problem-based approaches to professional development: 1. case study, 2. goal-based scenario, 3. problem-based learning, and 4. action learning. The review comparatively analyzed the training designs of these 4 approaches and found key differences in the nature of their case problems and training strategies. Specifically, the analysis found that case problems are ill structured in action learning and problem-based learning, are moderately structured in a goal-based scenario, and are fairly well structured in the case study approach. In addition, it was found that prototypical problems are used to a much greater extent in the problem-based learning and goal-based scenario approaches than they are in the other two approaches. Furthermore, the analysis found that the case study approach uses the most expert-oriented training strategy, the goal-based scenario approach uses a more learner-oriented strategy than the case study approach, and the problem-based learning and action learning approaches use strongly learner-oriented strategies.