Problem-based learning in the high-school physics classroom

Problem-based learning is an approach to learning that teaches strategies necessary for success in the twenty-first century. It is very like project-based learning but done on a smaller scale. Problem-based learning is easier to execute in a traditional high school setting, where time is limited. Students work in collaborative groups to identify what they need to solve a problem. The teacher acts as the facilitator of the learning process instead of providing knowledge. Students develop the ability to think critically, work together, and to communicate, all in a small timeframe that keeps the teacher on schedule. In this presentation, I will discuss some ways to implement problem-based learning and give examples of some problems I've used in my classes.