NEW IDEAS

CBL in a Post-Truth World

To improve the current state of discourse, we need to nurture a generation of learners willing to ask meaningful questions, critically investigate, include multiple perspectives, develop thoughtful solutions, and collaboratively develop solutions. CBL provides a framework for this work.

Your Brain On CBL

Over the last several decades, neuroscience, psychology and education researchers have gained significant insights into the learning process. Fourteen areas in Mind, Brain and Education science intersect with and support the efficacy of the CBL framework.

Boundaries of Adventure

For a challenge to be a challenge, there needs to be a sense of adventure. When we set boundaries, there must be enough space to explore, get lost, struggle, and feel apprehensive. We also need to be aware of the participant's experience with the boundaries and be...

Essential Questioning

To understand Essential Questioning, we need to start with a clear sense of the purpose of the Engage phase. The purpose of the Engage phase is to move from a Big Idea to an actionable Challenge. So, in the Engage phase, the questioning process is focused primarily on personal and team interests and needs.

(Our) Based Learning

Do we need personalized, project, problem, maker, STEM, STEAM, technology, challenge, college ready learning? Maybe yes, maybe no, perhaps sometimes, perhaps a little bit of all these . . . The only way we can find out is to take time to understand our goals, our learners, our community. CBL provides a process for this work.

Creating and Learning From Beautiful Data

How can we make the Investigation portion of the Challenge framework more effective? Two TedTalk’s focused on using visuals to simplify complexity provide some clues.

Challenge Based Learning and Development

Challenge Based Development (CBLD) is an emerging software development and learning framework that leverages the innovative Challenge Based Learning (CBL) model to experience and learn all facets of the process while creating meaningful and valuable products.

The Power of “Why”

Taking time to fully and collectively understand the “why” not only builds ownership and increases the chance for a meaningful and sustainable solution, but it sustains us through the hard work of change.

The Importance of “Quality Ignorance”

If we want individuals who can embrace “quality ignorance” and ask good questions we need a learning framework that supports this. The beauty of CBL is that it provides a scaffolding that celebrates the asking of questions and allows for the application of...

Sage on the Stage Or Guide on the Side?

Just because words rhyme and create a catchy phrase does not make them correct. Before they become the basis for decision making and practice they need to be thoroughly unpacked and discussed.

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Sage on the Stage Or Guide on the Side?

Sage on the Stage Or Guide on the Side?

Just because words rhyme and create a catchy phrase does not make them correct. Before they become the basis for decision making and practice they need to be thoroughly unpacked and discussed.

Reflection: Lessons from Coding

Reflection: Lessons from Coding

Reflection is a key piece of the CBL framework because it allows the learner to think deeply about the process and become aware of how they make decisions and learn.

CBL in the Elementary Classroom

CBL in the Elementary Classroom

CBL facilitates connections — deeper relationships that evolve between classmates and myself as co-collaborator on the learning journey. It is these connections that help kids see that they matter, that help them care.

The Power of Frameworks

The Power of Frameworks

CBL provides a framework to deal with the challenges that we find and the ones that “find” us. The more we are versed in the framework, have visualized successfully using the process and prepared for the bumps in the road the more successful we will be.

For Learning Sake – Slow Down

For Learning Sake – Slow Down

If we persist in an adult controlled calendar driven march towards preconceived solutions, we will continue to suffer the significant opportunity costs of lost ideas, students, and teachers.

Big Idea: Violence

Big Idea: Violence

The value of teaching/learning using the Challenge Based Learning framework is it gives us the tools to do the hard work of thinking through big challenges, and only through hard work will we identify sustainable solutions.

Visualizing CBL Success

Visualizing CBL Success

CBL provides a framework to deal with the challenges that we find and the ones that “find” us. The more we are versed in the framework, have visualized successfully using the process and prepared for the bumps in the road the more successful we will be in finding meaningful and lasting solutions.