What do we need to consider when designing and researching student learning in Challenge-Based Learning?

Abstract

Challenge-Based Learning has become specifically popular in higher engineering education. CBL addresses the key characteristics of future engineering programs by embracing authentic, active learning, offering choice in problem-solving and learning practices as well as enabling training in interdisciplinary teamwork and decision-making. This responds to the desire of many students for a sense of meaning in their education. Just as with many other educational innovations, we see a large variety of many different initiatives under the CBL label which is why much research is being conducted on the characteristics of CBL implementation. But the goal for researching different characteristics of CBL experiments is to, in the long run, understand whether CBL influences student learning, and in which way, since prior research suggests positive effects of such active learning approaches. In this short paper we present a framework for capturing the prerequisites, context, process and outcomes of student learning in Challenge-Based Learning. We take a close look at CBL as an educational concept in contrast to the prior ways in which student learning has been described. We put forward a heuristic analytical framework that will allow researchers and educators to capture the different aspects of the CBL process and context that could guide further education innovation and research to foster student learning gain in CBL.