Cooperative Group Problem-solving
Developed by: University of Minnesota Physics Education Research Group
Level
middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
calc based
alg based
conceptual
middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
calc based
alg based
conceptual
Topics
Setting
Overview
What? Students work in groups using structured problem-solving strategy to solve complex, context-rich problems that are too difficult to solve individually.
Student skills developed
Designed for:
- Conceptual understanding
- Problem-solving skills
- Making real-world connections
Can be adapted for:
- Using multiple representations
Instructor effort required
- Medium
Resources required
- Tables for group work
Resources
Developer's website: Cooperative Group Problem-solving
Intro Article: P. Heller, R. Keith, and S. Anderson, Teaching Problem Solving Through Cooperative Grouping. Part 1: Group Versus Individual Problem Solving, Am. J. Phys. 60 (7), 627 (1992).
Teaching Materials
The University of Minnesota has created a free online archive of context-rich problems, where you can find problems for many topics in introductory mechanics and electromagnetism to use with cooperative group problem-solving.
You can also use the cooperative group problem-solving approach with many other types of research-based activities.
Research
RESEARCH VALIDATION
Bronze ValidationThis is the third highest level of research validation, corresponding to:
- at least 1 of the "based on" categories
- at least 1 of the "demonstrated to improve" categories
- at least 1 of the "studied using" categories
Research Validation Summary
Based on Research Into:
- theories of how students learn
- student ideas about specific topics
Demonstrated to Improve:
- conceptual understanding
- problem-solving skills
- lab skills
- beliefs and attitudes
- attendance
- retention of students
- success of underrepresented groups
- performance in subsequent classes
Studied using:
- cycle of research and redevelopment
- student interviews
- classroom observations
- analysis of written work
- research at multiple institutions
- research by multiple groups
- peer-reviewed publication
References
- P. Heller, T. Foster, and K. Heller, Cooperative group problem solving laboratories for introductory classes, presented at the The changing role of physics departments in modern universities: International Conference on Undergraduate Physics Education, College Park, MD, 1996.
- P. Heller and M. Hollabaugh, Teaching Problem Solving Through Cooperative Grouping. Part 2: Designing Problems and Structuring Groups, Am. J. Phys. 60 (7), 637 (1992).
- P. Heller, R. Keith, and S. Anderson, Teaching Problem Solving Through Cooperative Grouping. Part 1: Group Versus Individual Problem Solving, Am. J. Phys. 60 (7), 627 (1992).
