ABSTRACT
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is a collaborative, inquiry-based approach to learning that empowers the learner to take responsibility for acquiring new knowledge and applying that knowledge to solve complex real-world problems. The effectiveness of PBL stems from how learners activate prior knowledge when confronted with a problem; new knowledge is constructed and co-constructed individually and within the group, scaffolded by facilitators. Within the advisor training context, the facilitator can challenge the group to think about the problem from the context of each of The Global Community for Academic Advising (NACADA) core competencies to ensure they move beyond the informational component. PBL enhances advisor training by applying inquiry-based learning that promotes collaborative learning experiences through analysis of practical, real-world problems, empowering advisors to activate prior knowledge, identify gaps in comprehension, and synthesize new understandings. When creating PBL problems, it is important to keep the training goals at the center of the design.
