Visual Images as Hooks for Problem-Based Learning

In problem-based learning students are presented with a problem as the motivation for group research. The presentation of the problem attempts to address the issue of ownership of content by both providing a context for knowledge acquisition and requiring a transformation of material to address the problem. The transformational aspect in principle provides the opportunity for creativity. We present two case studies, with different outcomes, and the results of a workshop, in which visual imagery was used as the hook for a PBL problem with a view to encouraging creativity in the responses.