Motivation in Problem-based Learning Implementation

Students’ motivation is a key to success in problem-based learning (PBL) implementation. Transition from conventional teaching method to PBL infuses negative mindsets towards PBL among students who are not familiar with inductive learning methods. This paper describes the approaches in motivating students to learn in a cooperative problem-based learning (CPBL) environment. PBL implementation in an undergraduate chemical engineering course at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is taken as a case study to demonstrate the effect of motivation. It is revealed that through systematic motivation given by the facilitator, the level of students’ motivation can be increased to encourage them to reach deep learning. Students’ responses about motivation they gained through the course are included to demonstrate the impact of motivation towards learning process in PBL.