This approach is close to problem-based learning and involves students solving a real-world problem. It becomes a challenge for them and encourages them to research the right topic by involving different sources.
Unlike a number of other approaches in the report, learning by challenge is quite a structured methodology with elaborate rules and guidelines. Many of the details of the approach are akin to project-based and problem-based learning. However, in challenge learning, the problems posed to students can be formulated as broadly as possible – or the educator may not formulate a problem at all, but simply propose a complex situation, such as that arising from global climate change.
Although the solutions developed by students in this way are usually not ready for implementation at all, the approach has many benefits for educational outcomes – it stimulates interest in learning, “shakes up” the class and engages everyone in discussion, thus developing relationships between students and setting them up for teamwork. This approach develops creativity and motivation.
Such a methodology is quite difficult to implement and the results of learning from it are difficult to assess. On the one hand, preparing such tasks requires more time from the teacher, on the other hand, students usually need guidance (or clear rules) in teamwork. In addition, there is always the risk of encountering unforeseen outcomes – because real-world problems, unlike learning problems, do not have guaranteed solutions.