Problem-based learning: a pedagogy for using case material in accounting education

This paper provides an extensive review of the developments of problem-based learning (PBL). The paper describes an idealized PBL format and outlines the learning rationale for such an approach. The paper also reviews the empirical evidence from the medical literature, where PBL has undergone its greatest application. This literature, which has grown to be quite extensive, suggests PBL is particularly effective in developing self-directed learning behaviours in students as well as increasing their levels of motivation and clinical reasoning skills. The paper concludes that PBL approaches appear to be particularly suited to bridging the gap between tertiary education and life as a professional, and that accounting educators need to seriously consider such an approach as a means of organizing their case study material.