Inculcating team-based problem solving skills, part 1: enhancing problem solving elements

This paper presents an intensive study on gaining the understanding on how Cooperative Problem-Based Learning (CPBL) enhances complex problem solving skills among engineering students. The epistemology of the study is based upon interpretivist perspective. The research used the grounded theory approach to study the process, or look for explanation of the process This paper presents the analysis on how CPBL develops problem solving elements in engineering students.. Based on the research, a model of how students enhance their problem solving elements is proposed. This paper is the first of two parts that reports on how CPBL enhance students' problem solving skills through a team-based approach.