Center for Teaching and Learning
Challenge-Based Learning & Project-oriented Teaching
- asks and trys out scientific questions as well as methods on (complex) real social challenges, usually in cooperation with external partners,
- involves different disciplines and perspectives,
- actively considers the students’ individual experiences.
Challenge-Based Learning...
...therefore allows to experience the relevance of the teaching content and enables students to relate to it.
...unites research and teaching.
...promotes a scientific mindset and critical reflection in academia, economy and society.
...makes disciplinary boundaries visible, encourages reflection and opens up new perspectives.
...fosters the ability to deal with complex environments and a rapidly changing reality.
...promotes collaboration: of students, teachers, and with external partners.
...links subjects and methods to cross-disciplinary key competencies.
...prepares for professional life.
In the sense of an Education for Sustainable Development, CBL aims to encourage students to critical and sustainable thinking and acting.
Project & Network
Viadrina is a member of the InclusU-network. Under the leadership of the University of Malmö, and together with the partner universities Lille and Mykolas Romeris (Vilnius), Viadrina explores CBL through collecting local experiences and practical examples. The network develops approaches for the respective institution and develops them further on a European level. The activities are currently funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Examples include:
- December 2021 - Online workshop for lecturers
- May 2022 - Workshop at the European University Viadrina with lecturers
- September 2022 - Workshop at the University of Lille with lecturers and students
- March 2023 - "Challenge Based Learning for global understanding" - Session at the online conference Intercultural Learning for Global Understanding of the International Network of Universities (INU)
- October 16th-18th - Workshop at Malmö University
The Centre for Teaching and Learning is coodinating the Challenge-Based Learning activities of the network, in collaboration with Viadrina‘s International Affairs department.
Short clip from the workshop at the University of Lille in September 2022:
Teaching at Viadrina - Examples
Previous ZLL training courses on Challenge-Based Learning
⇒ Short summary/ overview of CBL with examples (PDF)
Resources & References
- Christersson, C. E.; Melin, M.; Widén, P.; Ekelund, N.; Christensen; J., Lundegren, N.; Staaf, P. (2022). Challenge-Based Learning in Higher Education: A Malmö University Position Paper. International Journal of Innovative Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (IJITLHE), 3(1), 1-14.
- Craciun, D.; Kaiser, F.; Kottmann, A.; Van der Meulen, B. (2023). Research for CULT Committee –The European Universities Initiative, first lessons, main challenges and perspectives, European Parliament, Policy Department for Structural and Cohesion Policies, Brussels
- Cruger, K. M. (2017). Applying challenge-based learning in the (feminist) communication classroom: Positioning students as knowledgeable change agents. Communication Teacher, 32(2), 87-101.
- Gallagher, S. E.; Savage, T. (2020): Challenge-based learning in higher education: an exploratory literature review, Teaching in Higher Education, DOI:10.1080/13562517.2020.1863354.
- Leijon, M.; Gudmundsson, P.; Staaf, P.; Christersson, C. (2022). Challenge based learning in higher education–A systematic literature review. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 59(5), 609-618.
- Nichols, M.; Cator, K.; Torres, M. (2016). Challenge Based Learner User Guide. Redwood City, CA: Digital Promise.
- Rådberg, K.; Lundqvist, U.; Malmqvist, J.; Svensson, O.l (2020). From CDIO to challenge-based learning experiences – expanding student learning as well as societal impact?
- Ruijten-Dodoiu, P. (2022). Vision for Challenge Based Learning. In: Stang/ Becker (Hg). Lernwelt Hochschule 2030. De Gruyter, 79-89.
- van den Beemt, A.; van de Watering, G.; Bots, M. (2022). Conceptualising variety in challenge-based learning in higher education: the CBL-compass. European Journal of Engineering Education, 1-18.
- Hand Book: Servalli, A. (2021). Weaving knowledge together. Articulating and assessing the involvement of societal actors in challenge based learning within design education. Malmö University. (PDF)
If you as a teacher or student at the Viadrina are interested in Challenge-Based Learning, for example if you would like to exchange ideas and network, please contact us at zll@europa-uni.de or kasis@europa-uni.de
If you run CBL seminars yourself or have participated in a CBL seminar at Viadrina that is not listed here, we would be pleased if you could inform us about it and give us the title, faculty/department and teacher of the event.
