Cognitive engagement in the problem-based learning classroom
Jerome I. Rotgans • Henk G. Schmidt
Received: 31 August 2010 / Accepted: 4 January 2011 / Published online: 18 January 2011
The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com
Abstract The objective of the present study was to examine to what extent autonomy in problem-based learning (PBL) results in cognitive engagement with the topic at hand. To that end, a short self-report instrument was devised and validated. Moreover, it was examined how cognitive engagement develops as a function of the learning process and the extent to which cognitive engagement determines subsequent levels of cognitive engagement during a one-day PBL event. Data were analyzed by means of confirmatory factor analysis, repeated measures ANOVA, and path analysis. The results showed that the new measure of situational cognitive engagement is valid and reliable. Furthermore, the results revealed that students’ cognitive engagement significantly increased as a function of the learning event. Implications of these findings for PBL are discussed.
Keywords Autonomy Cognitive engagement Confirmatory factor analysis
Path analysis Problem-based learning
Introduction
Cognitive engagement in the classroom can be characterized as a psychological state in which students put in a lot of effort to truly understand a topic and in which students persist studying over a long period of time. The present study is about this kind of cognitive engagement and how it emerges in the problem-based learning (PBL) classroom.
PBL is an approach to higher education that has the following characteristics. Small groups of students discuss a problem guided by a tutor. Based on the discussion about the problem, students generate learning goals for subsequent self-directed learning. As such, students have a choice in deciding which learning goals they would pursue in order to