Effects of Problem-based Learning on Students' Metacognitive Awareness

Objective: To study the effects of problem-based learning(PBL) in the course of Medical Physics on students' metacognitive awareness.Methods: Students' metacognitive awareness was investigated using a self-developed questionnaire on metacognitive awareness before and after adopting PBL and the data collected were analyzed using SPSS 11.5.Results: students in the experimental class showed a significantly higher score in metacognitive knowledge,metacognitive experience, self-regulation as well as the overall metacognition after PBL than before PBL(P 0.01).In addition,students in the experimental class showed a significantly higher score in all the above aspects than those in the control class(P 0.01). Conclusions: PBL in the course of Medical Physics has a positive effect on students' metacognitive awareness.