Indicates a research-demonstrated benefit

Cooperative Group Problem-solving

Overview

Students work in small groups using structured problem-solving strategy to solve complex context-rich problems that are too difficult for any one student to solve individually.

	Type of Method	Instructional strategy
	Level	Designed for: Intro College Calculus-based Can be adapted for: Any
	Setting	Designed for: Recitation/Discussion Session Can be adapted for: Lecture - Small (<30 students), Studio
	Coverage	Many topics with less depth
	Topics	Mechanics, Electricity / Magnetism, Waves / Optics, Thermal / Statistical, Modern / Quantum, Mathematical, Astronomy, Other Science
	Instructor Effort	Medium
	Resource Needs	Tables arranged for group work
	Skills	Designed for: Problem-solving skills, Conceptual understanding of physics content, Connecting conceptual and mathematical understanding, Understanding how physics relates to the real world, Group work Can be adapted for: Coherent framework for physics, Think like a scientist, Self-confidence around physics, Enjoyment of physics, Representing knowledge in multiple ways
	Research Validation	Based on research into: how students learn, student ideas about specific topics Demonstrated to improve: scores on multiple choice conceptual tests, traditional problem-solving ability Studied using: conceptual pre/post exams, problem-solving pre/post exams, classroom observations
	Compatible Methods	Peer Instruction, PhET, UW Tutorials, JiTT, Ranking Tasks, ILDs, Physlets, Context-Rich Problems, RealTime Physics, TIPERs, ABP Tutorials, SCALE-UP, OSP, SDI Labs, OST Tutorials, Thinking Problems, Workbook for Introductory Physics, LA Program, CAE TPS, Lecture-Tutorials, Astro Ranking Tasks, MBL, New Model Course, CPU, SCL, TEFA, CU Modern, CU E&M, CU QM, QuILTs, IQP, Thermal Tutorials, Mechanics Tutorials, Paradigms, Tools for Scientific Thinking, PI QM, M&I, Tutorials, Clickers, MOP
	Similar Method	Context-Rich Problems
	Developer(s)	University of Minnesota Physics Education Research Group
	Website	http://groups.physics.umn.edu/physed/Research/CGPS/CGPSintro.htm