Enrol for the new Arqus MOOC on Challenge-Based Learning!

The Arqus Alliance offers a Massive Open Online Course on Challenge-Based Learning (CBL-MOOC) in Higher Education. The CBL-MOOC, planned to start next 13th June 2022, is aimed at university teachers and anyone interested in the methodology of CBL. Vilnius University has coordinated the creation of this course that consists of 4 units, each of which is 4 hours long.

The course does not require any prior knowledge of the topic, and the number of registered participants is unlimited.

In this MOOC, participants will:

• be introduced to CBL, its definition, origins and precursors
• learn about the benefits and drawbacks of CBL
• find out how the learning process in CBL can be structured and supported
• get an overview of the main participants and their core roles, responsibilities and competences
• identify means for meaningfully assessing CBL

The theory of the course is combined with practical examples and testimonials from teachers and students involved in CBL projects.

During the course, participants will be introduced to CBL, including its benefits and drawbacks. They will find out how the learning process in CBL can be structured and supported and will get an overview of the main participants and their core roles, responsibilities and competencies. After completing the MOOC, participants will be able to identify means for meaningfully assessing CBL.

The MOOC contains four units covering, the following topics:

• Unit 1: Introduction to CBL
• Unit 2: CBL makers
• Unit 3: CBL in action
• Unit 4: Assessment in CBL

Each unit contains videos explaining the essential aspects of the topic, with relevant practical examples and testimonials. The units include self-study resources and/or tasks to support learning and reflecting on the content. It comes with a list of recommended literature and concludes with a multiple-choice quiz.

Dr. Jurgita Vizgirdaitė, interim Head of Study Division, Deputy Director and an Associate Professor at the Vilnius University Business School, remarked that working on the Challenge-Based Learning MOOC development and implementation while leading an international team was a challenge in itself, but also highly rewarding. “The application of CBL in higher education has many benefits. The big idea behind the challenge can ensure valuable results as they relate to societal development matters. Other benefits may include the development of student competencies necessary for the contemporary environment – the so-called transversal competencies are key here”, concluded Dr. Vizgirdaitė. According to her, in this course, disciplinary competencies are developed too.

Dr. Vizgirdaitė also gave insights into how the MOOC can be used in multiple contexts, inviting different stakeholders to join it: “Moreover, the CBL conditions the student’s active participation, and this may be highly empowering – realizing that you make decisions for your own learning. The CBL may be implemented in a course, throughout the program, as an interdisciplinary project or as an international project among some partner universities. Lastly, the external partners – the private or public sector representatives may also be involved in CBL. Thus, here some significant collaboration may start. Our Arqus CBL-MOOC team invites all teachers to join the MOOC on 13th June, learn more and apply their own learning and teaching practices”.

The other course leaders involved in the CBL-MOOC are also excellent experts in their fields. Among them are Silvia Didier and Dr. Noémie Dominguez, associate professors at the Laelyon School of Management of the University Lyon 3; Mag. Caterina Hauser, a research assistant at the Center for Digital Teaching and Learning of the University of Graz; Paolo De Stefani, senior lecturer in International Law at the University of Padua; and Smita Mohanty, coordinator of the Arqus Action Line 5 “Entrepreneurial University and Regional Engagement”.

Those interested to register for the MOOC must know that they need to answer at least 75% of the self-assessment questions correctly to obtain the certificates of course completion.

Find more information about the CBL-MOOC and enrol here.

The CBL-MOOC has been developed in the framework of Action Line 7, Engaged European Citizens, chaired by the University of Bergen. 

Original news prepared by Eglé Kristopaityté.