From CDIO to challenge-based learning experiences – expanding student learning as well as societal impact?

ABSTRACT

Challenge-based learning (CBL) is a multidisciplinary approach that encourages students to work actively with peers, teachers and stakeholders in society to identify complex challenges, formulate relevant questions and take action for sustainable development. In this paper, it is argued that CBL can be viewed as an evolution of the Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate concept, expanding as well as deepening the learning experience. The study reported on investigates the multiple aims of a particular CBL environment (the Challenge Lab at Chalmers University of Technology), which are to combine significant student learning and societal transformation. The results show that the students perceive that they have developed deep skills in problem formulation and sustainable development, as well as working across disciplines and with different stakeholders. Moreover, the study shows that although few student projects reach implementation stage, there is a potential for societal impact both during and after the Challenge Lab learning experience.

KEYWORDS:

• Challenge-based learning
• CDIO
• sustainability
• multidisciplinary learning
• stakeholder involvement

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all Challenge Lab students we have interviewed, for lending us their time and engagement. We would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers and colleagues who have given us valuable comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Kamilla Kohn Rådberg is a Researcher at the Department of Technology Management, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. Her research is in the field of innovation management and is related to open innovation. She is also engaged in developing collaborative efforts in research and education.

Ulrika Lundqvist is a Senior Lecturer and Vice Head of Department responsible for undergraduate education at the Department of Space, Earth and Environment at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. Her research interest is Industrial Ecology. She is also engaged in education for sustainable development at Chalmers.

Johan Malmqvist is a Professor in Product Development and Dean of Education at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. His current research focuses on information management in the product development process/product lifecycle management and on curriculum development methodology.

Oskar Hagvall Svensson is a Ph.D. candidate in Entrepreneurship and Strategy at the Department of Technology Management and Economics at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. His research is focused on entrepreneurial learning in engineering education.

Notes

1 HSB is a cooperative housing association where the tenants are owners and members: https://www.hsb.se/kil/om-hsb/in-english/. This association has established a living lab: https://www.hsb.se/hsblivinglab/Om/.