Editor's Introduction
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
As the Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning (IJPBL) enters its twentieth year, the Spring 2026 issue gives us a unique and global look at the impact that problem-based learning (PBL) has had and continues to have throughout the world. We start by memorializing the work and life of John R. Savery whose impact on PBL research has been foundational, including authoring an article in the very first issue of this journal (Savery, 2006). His legacy will continue to echo both in the field as well as with those whose lives he touched. Members of our current and prior editorial board— Krista Glazewski, Woei Hung, Xun Ge, and Peggy Ertmer—share their thoughts and memories honoring John Savery in an in-memoriam article.
As we reflect on John Savery’s widereaching impact on the study and implementation of PBL throughout the world, we also celebrate the contributions of other PBL researchers across the globe. We examine the impact of PBL through the lens of different cultural contexts representing the countries of Indonesia, Türkiye, Khazakstan, and South Africa. Given the importance of real-world application in PBL, it is fitting that we focus on how authentic problem solving is operationalized and, perhaps more importantly, impacted by the cultural contexts in which such learning occurs.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
1. Publication and Promotion: In consideration of the Publisher’s agreement to publish the Work, Author hereby grants and assigns to Publisher the non-exclusive right to print, publish, reproduce, or distribute the Work throughout the world in all means of expression by any method now known or hereafter developed, including electronic format, and to market or sell the Work orany part of it as Publisher sees fit. Author further grants Publisher the right to use Author’s name in association with the Work inpublished form and in advertising and promotional materials
2. Copyright: Copyright of the Work remains in Author’s name.
3. Prior Publication and Attribution: Author agrees not to publish the Work in print form prior to publication of the Work by the Publisher. Author agrees to cite, by author, title, and publisher, the original Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning publication when publishing the Work elsewhere
4. Author Representations: The Author represents and warrants that the Work:
(a) is the Author’s original Work and that Author has full power to enter into this Agreement;
(b) does not infringe the copyright or property of another;
(c) contains no material which is obscene, libelous, defamatory or previously published, in whole or in part.
Author shall indemnify and hold Publisher harmless against loss of expenses arising from breach of any such warranties.
5. Licensing and Reuse: Reuse of the published Work will be governed by a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc/4.0/). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon the Work non-commercially; although new works must acknowledge the original Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning publication and be non-commercial, they do not have to be licensed on the same terms.
References
Affandy, H., Sunarno, W., Suryana, R., & Harjana (2026). Unveiling the global instructional impact of problem-based learning in science education. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 20 (1). https://doi.org/10.14434/ijpbl.v20i1.37007
Glazewski, K., Ge, X., Ertmer, P., & Hung, W. (2026). In memoriam: John R. Savery (1950–2025): Editors' reflection. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 20 (1). https://doi.org/10.14434/ijpbl.v20i1.43008
Savery, J. R. (2006). Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 1 (1). https://doi.org/10.7771/1541-5015.1002.
Smakova, K. (2026). English language teachers’ perceptions of implementing project-based learning in Kazakhstani secondary schools. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 20 (1). https://doi.org/10.14434/ijpbl.v20i1.37376
Usta, N., Özkaya, A., & Düzalan, N. (2026). The effect of problem-based learning on middle school students’ problem-solving skills: The content area of probability. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 20 (1). https://doi.org/10.14434/ijpbl.v20i1.35237
Wagner, C., & du Toit, J. (2026). Students’ experiences of learning research methods in an interdisciplinary project-based multi-stakeholder collaboration. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learning, 20 (1). https://doi.org/10.14434/ijpbl.v20i1.39977