Challenge-Based Learning (CBL)

In Challenge-Based Learning (CBL), groups of 7 to 8 students work on solving realistic problems. They do this is project groups and follow mostly the ‘Seven design phases approach. Each group is supervised by a tutor, who monitors the progress of the group process. The tutor is a master student who has experience with CBL’s.

In the first year, we offer two mandatory and two elective CBL’s. In the second year, there will be two mandatory and one elective CBL. And in the third year, there will be two mandatory CBL’s.

We are altering our CBL’s one by one to CBL’s (Challenge based learning) which have a more open character. The outcome and the way that the project question is executed is not fixed. The students have more freedom in using different options to design and test their products. So in the first and second year the student will experience one CBL. 

In these projects, you will work together on solving a multidisciplinary design problem. The emphasis here is on applying the knowledge of the theoretical courses and on learning professional skills. In the meeting, you analyze the problem with the group, formulate subtasks and individually report what you discovered when you studied the literature and the other learning materials.

The time spent on each CBL project is around 140 hours in 8 weeks. Group meetings of one hour each are held twice a week per quartile. There are also project supporting lectures, technical training courses, experiments and building hours. These components will teach you skills such as presentation, cooperation, planning and organizing, and using facilities for simulation, experimentation and design.

The rest of the time is spent on completing self-study assignments, working independently on the project and group consultation.

Specific CBL information can be found in the course information for the case in CANVAS.

Want to know more? Contact the CBL coordinator via the contact form below.