Teaching Physics to Engineering Students Using Problem-Based Learning

This paper describes how problem-based learning can be used to teach physics to first-year engineering students. The problem-based learning pedagogical approach promotes the development of key skills such as problem-solving and group skills. A model of problem-based learning is then suggested for use with first-year students and the implications of its use are detailed. The evaluation of this PBL course is outlined. This paper should be of particular interest to anyone who is not in a position to convert a complete course from traditional teaching methodologies to problem-based learning but would like to introduce it into one part of a course.