Its use in basic science programs is just beginning and is spearheaded by the University of Delaware , which just recently held its 5th annual international conference. Together they try to identify the broad nature of the problem - the issues and the learning objectives. They define what they know and what they need to find out.
Students divide up the study tasks and adjourn the meeting to dig into the literature.
At a second meeting the students share their results and try and resolve the basic problems they identified earlier. Again, the students refine the problem into things they know and need to know, subdivide the workload and adjourn. At a third meeting their information is pooled and a report written. Often in this session, the group becomes introspective about their various problem-solving strategies with the hope that they will improve with later cases. There is rich literature about PBL and the various skills that are needed to be successful.