title: To what extent can PBL principles be applied in blended learning: Lessons learned from health master programs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maastricht University has been actively exploring blended learning approaches to PBL in Health Master Programs. Key principles of PBL are, learning should be constructive, self-directed, collaborative, and contextual. The purpose is to explore whether these principles are applicable in blended learning.
  
  
  METHODS
  The programs, Master of Health Services Innovation (case 1), Master Programme in Global Health (case 2), and the Master of Health Professions Education (case 3), used a Virtual Learning Environment for exchanging material and were independently analyzed. Quantitative data were collected for cases 1 and 2. Simple descriptive analyses such as frequencies were performed. Qualitative data for cases 1 and 3 were collected via (focus group) interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All PBL principles could be recognized in case 1. Case 2 seemed to be more project-based. In case 3, collaboration between students was not possible because of a difference in time-zones. Important educational aspects: agreement on rules for (online) sessions; visual contact (student-student and student-teacher), and frequent feedback.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PBL in a blended learning format is perceived to be an effective strategy. The four principles of PBL can be unified in PBL with a blended learning format, although the extent to which each principle can be implemented can differ.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Educational Development and Research, School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Jong
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health, Ethics & Society, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J S M
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Krumeich
authors.affiliation: a Department of Educational Development and Research, School of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D M L
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Verstegen
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D040381:Education, Public Health Professional / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014584:User-Computer Interface