The ECIU University including 12 strong European universities invites students to participate in challenges analysing and solving the pressing social, societal and even global problems. The students form international teams and solve real-life challenges with the help of lecturers and the representatives of the organisations using an unconventional challenge-based learning method (CBL).
KTU lecturers, participating in challenge-solving and mentoring several years in a row, welcome the experience gained and the benefits of the challenge-based learning (CBL) methodology. The CBL method is not a conventional method of teaching; therefore, the lecturers claim to experience pleasant surprises and the students find the most unexpected solutions.
“I encourage every student to participate in challenge-solving because it is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a lot of new experience and develop the already present competencies. By joining this initiative, the students will expand the network of their acquaintances and have the opportunity to test their teamwork skills in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams.
Moreover, they will take a closer look at the realities of the municipal or business organisations and contribute to solving their challenges; therefore, not only expanding their knowledge about the “real-life” issues but also developing their creative as well as systemic thinking”, – tells KTU lecturer Rimantė Sedziniauskienė.
Sometimes, the concept “challenge” may raise questions or seem frightening like something insurmountable. However, challenge-solving includes the acquisition of various competencies, the development of practical skills that may not be acquired in conventional studies.
KTU lecturer Dalia Čalnerytė has applied the CBL methodology in the ECIU challenges for several semesters: “The ECIU encourages cooperation among the research institutions, business representatives and communities in various countries. It is a great initiative still in search of the best implementation method. While solving the challenge, the students learn about the technologies applied in practice, acquire knowledge and experience and teamwork skills. I would encourage students to participate in challenges because of contacts, interesting experience, acquired practical knowledge and satisfaction of finding an original solution.”
Even though the challenge-based learning (CBL) method is not widely used in the process of studies, it opens great opportunities for all participants of challenges. While solving challenges and using this method, besides the students, the remaining participants, such as the lecturers, the enterprises and social organisations, also become the beneficiaries.
“The CBL is distinguished from other methods by the fact that the lecturers do not specify the result they expect to the students. Therefore, the students identify the important challenge and the possible paths for its solution. In this way, the students’ ability to notice the problems in the environment is developed as well as their determination to accept them as a challenge, creativity to find the suitable solution and persuade their teammates and stakeholders in their ideas. In the process of challenge-solving, the students receive feedback from their colleagues, lecturers, business representatives and specialists in the area of the challenge.
These comments help them consider the proposed solution from various angles and assess the impact of the proposed solution on the environment and society”, – D. Čalnerytė shares her impressions.
Inga Stasiulaitienė is one of the ECIU lecturers who has been using the unconventional challenge-based learning method with her students for several semesters: “This methodology shapes critical thinking in students and develops their teamwork skills. By leaving their comfort zone, the students have a chance to pursue the results they are responsible for. At the same time, the lecturer has to clearly and discreetly direct the students towards the final result”, – says dr. I. Stasiulaitienė.
The colleague of the lecturers Benas Gabrielis Urbonavičius also identifies the benefits of the innovative teaching/learning method: “The process of the challenge-based teaching/learning generates the ideas that might not see the light of the day if the process would use a different methodology.
Even though most KTU students face international activities, not many of them have the chance to closely work in international student teams – it is a particularly valuable experience”.
