Technologies and Educational Activities for Supporting and Implementing Challenge-Based Learning

Our Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) method can be described as a special form of problem-based learning, in which the problems are of realistic, open-ended nature. Additionally, CBL contains features of experiential and project-based learning approaches. CBL is supported by the provision of Digital Experimentation Toolkits (DExTs) which comprise materials, initial instructions, references to web resources and specific software tools. Technological challenges lie in the ease of use in accessing these data and in communicating the learners’ requests and specifications to the remote sites. Within this article we describe several classroom scenarios for the usage of DexTs in schools. Examples are the calculation of the epicenter of an earthquake, the calculation of lunar heights and the definition of strategies for navigation in a maze. The activities described in this paper were conducted within the framework of our COLDEX project (Collaborative Learning and Distributed Experimentation, http://www.coldex.info).

[1]  Rachel K. E. Bellamy,et al.  Designing educational technology: computer-mediated change , 1995 .

[2]  Kenneth Tobin,et al.  International handbook of science education , 1998 .

[3]  Harold Abelson,et al.  Turtle geometry : the computer as a medium for exploring mathematics , 1983 .

[4]  Charles M. Reigeluth,et al.  Instructional-design Theories and Models : A New Paradigm of Instructional Theory, Volume II , 1999 .

[5]  Niels Pinkwart,et al.  A Plug-In Architecture for Graph Based Collaborative Modeling Systems , 2003 .

[6]  B. Nardi.  Context and consciousness: activity theory and human-computer interaction , 1995 .

[7]  Heinz Ulrich Hoppe,et al.  Building bridges within learning communities through ontologies and "thematic objects" , 2005, CSCL.

[8]  H. U. Hoppe,et al.  Collaborative Modeling in Group Learning Environments , 2002 .

[9]  Heinz Ulrich Hoppe,et al.  Integration of domain-specific elements into visual language based collaborative environments , 2001, Proceedings Seventh International Workshop on Groupware. CRIWG 2001.

[10]  Heinz Ulrich Hoppe,et al.  Interactive processing of astronomical observations in a cooperative modelling environment , 2004, IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies, 2004. Proceedings..

[11]  Heinz Ulrich Hoppe,et al.  An interactive maze scenario with physical robots and other smart devices , 2004, The 2nd IEEE International Workshop on Wireless and Mobile Technologies in Education, 2004. Proceedings..

[12]  L. S. Vygotskiĭ,et al.  Mind in society : the development of higher psychological processes , 1978 .

[13]  Kurt VanLehn,et al.  Intelligent Tutoring Systems: 5th International Conference, ITS 2000, Montreal, Canada, June 19-23, 2000 Proceedings , 2000 .