12 May 5 Top Reasons Why Challenge-Based Learning Engages Students More

Much evidence suggests that challenge-based learning is more engaging for students than traditional lecture-based learning is. Why is traditional learning lagging behind?

Here are five of the top reasons that challenge-based learning engages students more:

1. Collaboration with peers

Students are excited when they get to collaborate with their peers on a hands-on project. They have the opportunity to connect with like-minded and diverse minds as they work towards a collective solution to a real-world problem, and in doing so, they often teach one another. Students develop their future-proof skills as a team, collaboratively. The interpersonal element encourages students to motivate one another to succeed and contribute individually in meaningful ways. 

In Apple’s CBL studies with students from primary to post-secondary school, 96% of teachers attributed a large part of the successful results to group collaboration. Students agreed that collaboration contributed significantly to their success and reported that they enjoyed working with their team members and formed personal bonds that they otherwise would not have in a traditional classroom. Moreover, students pointed out that challenge-based learning was a better collaboration experience than conventional group work.

2. Freedom to create

School studies also find that students are engaged in challenge-based learning because it is a unique opportunity offering them the freedom to create: this freedom is both the freedom of independence and the freedom of creative expression. Although some may initially be hesitant to work within the framework, students come to really appreciate the freedom to become creators in challenge-based learning. Lecture-based classrooms operate with the teacher as a director of their education, but challenge-based learning flips the script: students self-direct their learning.

3. Real-world solutions

One of the most compelling reasons to implement challenge-based learning is the real-world nature of the problem solving. Miami University students reported that they were empowered and motivated by the tangible project-based accomplishment of the challenge-based learning approach. Students are also emotionally fulfilled by the problem solving process because the challenges are real-world relevant and meaningful for them—they are engaged in the learning because they are actively involved in making a positive difference.

4. Non-traditional learning

Another primary reason that challenge-based learning beats traditional learning in student engagement is the simple fact that it pushes those traditional boundaries and allows students to experience something outside of their comfort zone. Theory learned in post-secondary programs remains theoretical for the student until they can make it personally relevant and valuable to them in the real world through application, which is why non-traditional challenge-based learning is ultimately more impactful: the students actually apply their knowledge, and thus, the knowledge is more engaging, more memorable, and more concrete.

Interestingly, Miami University students in Apple’s CBL studies chose the challenge to “make undergraduate education relevant,” which reflects students’ desire to change up the education system in favour of interactive, applicable methods like challenge-based learning. However, the challenge experience also reflected their need for a new style of learning. Being pushed out of their comfort zone was—although at first uncomfortable—eye-opening to the feats they are capable of, and it was ultimately incredibly motivating to discover that potential.

5. Digital innovation

Lastly, Apple’s studies, which focused on the power of digital tools and digital literacy, highlighted these tools’ impact on student engagement. The university students were more engaged in the learning process because they were experimenting and innovating using modern technology. The tech innovation process was exciting and novel for these digital natives, who maintained interest in their project, despite its challenges, due to the digital tools that were so core to their learning.

Challenge-based learning is evidenced to be a more engaging learning experience than traditional learning for students of all age groups. Some of the top reasons that challenge-based learning engages more are peer collaboration, freedom to create, real-world solutions, non-traditionalism, and digital innovation. Educators should consider the level of student engagement they achieve with traditional learning and the potential to be unlocked with the challenge-based learning method.