Identification of Problem-based Learning components and their effects on graduates’ competencies

This study investigated the relationship between higher education and the requirement of the world of work with an emphasis on the effect of problem-based learning (PBL) on graduates’ competencies. The main aims of this study were: (1) to identify each of PBL components which were manifested in the development of valid and reliable PBL implementation questionnaire and (2) to determine the effect of each identified PBL component to specific graduates’ competencies.This study seeks to improve PBL research method in four majors ways:

1. by identifying PBL components based on theory and empirical data;

2. by using latent variables in the structural equation modelling instead of using a variable as a proxy of a construct;

3. by using CFA to validate the latent structure of the measurement, thus providing better evidence of validity; and

4. by using graduate survey data which is suitable for analysing PBL effects in the frame work of the relationship between higher education and the world of work.

Bhina Patria in academic staff in the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He had been active in various research projects of International Center for Higher Education Research Kassel (INCHER-Kassel) University of Kassel, Germany from 2005-2011. He has a bachelor degree in Psychology from Gadjah Mada University, a master and doctoral degree in higher education.