Challenge-Based Learning in Higher Education: A Malmö University Position Paper

Introduction

With this position paper, Malmö University wants to argue for a comprehensive approach to how higher education institutions (HEIs) can transform adult learning in higher education (HE) together with the society at large and thereby contributing to the development of a global learning society. We will, thus, present an inclusive institutional narrative on our development of Challenge Based Learning (CBL) grounded in learning theories, innovation integrated into research, and educational technologies, all in collaboration with local and global societal partners (Christensen et al., 2021; Leijon et al., 2021).

The design of the position paper starts with an introductory section, where a background to CBL and its importance in HE is given, followed by a theoretical discussion framing the concept of CBL and ending with a definition and a model of CBL in HE, which are based on Malmö University’s theoretical and practical work with CBL. In the section “The Domains of CBL Explained and Exemplified,” each of the model’s three domains is discussed theoretically based on practical examples. The position paper is summarized in the final section, and conclusions are drawn for future work on CBL in HE.