Part 3: Challenge-Based Learning

Part 3: Challenge-Based Learning

For the final week of this three-part series I delve into the last term. It’s important to understand the three terms we have been looking at, so we can see the differences.

To start, let’s recall the definition of each of the three terms:

Project-Based Learning (PBL) is the ongoing act of learning about different subjects. This is achieved by guiding students to identify, through research, a real-world problem (local to global), developing its solution using evidence to support the claim, and presenting the solution through a multimedia approach based on a set of 21st-century tools.Problem-Based Learning (PBL or PrBL) is a student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject through the experience of solving an open-ended problem found in trigger material (such as paper-based clinical scenarios, lab data, photographs, articles, videos, or patients (real or simulated)). The PBL process does not focus on problem-solving with a defined solution, but it allows for the development of other desirable skills and attributes.
Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) is a framework designed to improve learning and organizational behavior around authentic learning experiences that encourage learners to leverage the technology they use in their daily lives.

Challenge-Based Learning (CBL)

Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) comes from the Digital Promise Education Innovators and claims to provide an efficient framework for learning while allowing students to solve real-world challenges. CBL prides itself on creating a collaborative and hands-on environment that includes all participants- students and the entire community- in an effort to identify big ideas, ask good questions, identify and solve challenges, gain deep subject-area knowledge, develop 21st century skills, and share their experiences with the world.

That was a summary from the Digital Promise website explaining CBL and the first thought I had was “Wow, they just threw every educational buzz word into a long sentence.”  Then I looked deeper and saw how it is similar to PBL and Problem-Based Learning. Another clip of information from the Digital Promise website gives more information on what CBL provides:

  1. A flexible and customizable framework.
  2. A scalable model with multiple points of entry.
  3. A process that places all learners in charge and responsible for the learning.
  4. An authentic environment for meeting academic standards and deep learning.
  5. A focus on global ideas with local challenges and solutions.
  6. An authentic connection between academic disciplines and real-world experience.
  7. A framework to develop a wide range of 21st century skills.
  8. Purposeful use of technology.
  9. The opportunity for learners to make a difference now.
  10. A way to document and assess both the learning process and product.
  11. An environment for deep reflection on teaching and learning.

Digital Promise

One of the nicer things with CBL is that the Digital Promise has create a great website with many examples of how CBL is applied in the classroom. Check out their website here for all of the resources.

We can think of CBL in the context of a learning framework including the following: Engage, Investigate, Act, and Document, Reflect, and Share.

Engage–Through essential questioning, learners move from an abstract big idea to a concrete and actionable challenge.

Investigate–The learners plan and participate in a journey that builds the foundation for solutions and addresses academic requirements.

Act–Evidence-based solutions are developed, implemented with an authentic audience and then evaluated based on the results.

Document, Reflect and Share–Throughout the challenge, learners document the experience using audio, video, and photography. This ongoing collection of content provides the resources for reflection, informative assessment and evidence of learning.

Wrapping Up

As you can see, there is a lot of overlap between PBL, Problem-Based Learning and CBL. This post is just the beginning of our discussion on how all of these ideas work.

My question to you is: “Have you tried any of these methods, how did it go, or if you haven’t tried yet, why not?” I would love to start the conversation, so let me know in the comments below!

Check out these videos on Challenge-Based Learning:

Windward School in Los Angeles, California

Middletown Middle School in Middletown, Ohio

Resources:

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