What is Challenge-based Education?
Challenge-based Education (CBE) is a core element of teaching and learning initiatives within Enlight. CBE is a learner-driven, multidisciplinary approach, in which students work collaboratively to develop solutions to real-world, authentic problems, often in the environmental, social, economic and political domains. Students take responsibility for their own learning, and the teacher provides guidance, subject expertise, and facilitates discussion and collaboration.
CBE has similarities with other active learning pedagogies such as Problem-Based Learning, and Project-Based Learning where students often work in groups, using prior knowledge, to address a challenge. However, within CBE, the entire learning experience is centered around a real-life, open-ended challenge, defined by the students themselves, and for which they need to propose, test and evaluate potential solutions.
The CBE design cycle consists of three connected phases: Engage, Investigate and Act. These phases take students from a ‘big idea’, onto the definition of an actionable challenge. Learners then conduct deeper research on the topic, to better understand the challenge at hand, and proceed to prototype, develop and implement evidence-based solutions. They are encouraged to document and reflect on their experiences throughout the process, and revisit earlier phases as necessary.
Challenge-based Education aims to not only deepen subject matter expertise, but also to develop transferable 21st century skills such as creativity, collaboration and communication, and to better prepare students for challenges they are likely to encounter in their future careers.
Challenge-based Education can be defined as a collaborative and hands-on teaching and learning approach, prompting students to work with peers, teachers, and experts in their communities and around the world to ask good questions, develop deeper subject area knowledge, accept and solve challenges, and share their experience (Nichols & Cator, 2008, p.1)
Am I ready for CBE?
You are ready if you are:
- Committed to student-centered education
- Willing to give up control of the learning process and to trust students to develop their own knowledge with your facilitation
- Experienced in facilitating group and/or team work
- Willing to guide and mentor students
Are my students ready for CBE?
They are ready when they are:
- Familiar with the foundational concepts, approaches, and problems of their discipline
- Open to new ideas and challenges
- Willing to co-operate and collaborate with peers
- Responsible, resilient and independent learners
Further Resources
Please explore our more detailed CBE resources:
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