Motivating Students to Learn

Partners for Inclusive Communities (Partners) coordinates an interdisciplinary training program for graduate students (trainees) in 11 health-related disciplines. A Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curricula is incorporated using children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. This type of curriculum in which trainees are presented with and find solutions to real life problems has proven to be a successful model of learning for all participating disciplines. The benefits of a PBL model for interdisciplinary training are numerous. Trainees gain a greater depth of knowledge regarding interdisciplinary training and, as a result, form more cohesive interdisciplinary relationships. They also develop a keener sense of issues surrounding children with disabilities and their families, become actively engaged in and develop ownership of the learning process, and approach learning as a lifelong process.