Eric ed495624 problem based learning an inquiry approach corwin press 2006 dec 20 in a world with increasingly global economies and competition students need to learn how to think critically and analytically and to apply the imagination to solve complex problems. Problem based learning pbl model has a general purpose to improve the skills of inquiry and problem solving skills behavior and social skills according to the role of adults the skills to . For most of his educational career he has worked with schools nationally to foster inquiry problem based learning critical thinking and reflection barell is the author of several books including teaching for thoughtfulness strategies to enhance intellectual development 1995 2nd ed and developing more curious minds 2003. Problem based learning can be classified as guided inquiry where the teacher presented question is an unsolved real world problem for example in a middle eastern studies course the main problem posed by the instructor could be propose a solution to the israeli palestinian conflict. For most of his educational career he has worked with schools nationally to foster inquiry problem based learning critical thinking and reflection barell is the author of several books including teaching for thoughtfulness strategies to enhance intellectual development 1995 2nd ed and developing more curious minds 2003