To improve the current state of discourse, we need to nurture a generation of learners willing to ask meaningful questions, critically investigate, include multiple perspectives, develop thoughtful solutions, and collaboratively develop solutions. CBL provides a framework for this work.

Over the last several decades, neuroscience, psychology and education researchers have gained significant insights into the learning process. Fourteen areas in Mind, Brain and Education science intersect with and support the efficacy of the CBL framework.

To understand Essential Questioning, we need to start with a clear sense of the purpose of the Engage phase. The purpose of the Engage phase is to move from a Big Idea to an actionable Challenge. So, in the Engage phase, the questioning process is focused primarily on personal and team interests and needs.

Do we need personalized, project, problem, maker, STEM, STEAM, technology, challenge, college ready learning? Maybe yes, maybe no, perhaps sometimes, perhaps a little bit of all these . . . The only way we can find out is to take time to understand our goals, our learners, our community. CBL provides a process for this work.

How can we make the Investigation portion of the Challenge framework more effective? Two TedTalk’s focused on using visuals to simplify complexity provide some clues.

Challenge Based Development (CBLD) is an emerging software development and learning framework that leverages the innovative Challenge Based Learning (CBL) model to experience and learn all facets of the process while creating meaningful and valuable products.

Taking time to fully and collectively understand the “why” not only builds ownership and increases the chance for a meaningful and sustainable solution, but it sustains us through the hard work of change.

Just because words rhyme and create a catchy phrase does not make them correct. Before they become the basis for decision making and practice they need to be thoroughly unpacked and discussed.