The UAB to host the first Challenge-Based Learning Conference

The UAB played host to the First Challenge-Based Learning Conference, which will brought together nearly  80 people attending the different sessions that were offered on this learning methodology that is based on real-life situations. With the CBL methodology, participants take on a specific problem existing in a region and explore ways to improve the situation, leading to the formulation of a solution proposal, which, in some cases, can be implemented and evaluated.

Attendants were welcomed to the university at 9:30 a.m. by UAB Vice-Rector for International Relations and Language Policy Laura Santamaria.

The first session began at 9:45 a.m., entitled “CBL and its Impact on Teaching” and offered by Dorothea Ellinger, head of ECIU University training opportunities (Hamburg University of Technology).

At 10:15 a.m., a round table was offered to talk about practical CBL experiences at the UAB. Participants will include Marilisa Birello, vice-dean for Quality, Innovation and Master’s Degrees at the UAB Faculty of Education; Artur Vidal, lecturer of the Faculty of Education; Toni Comajoan, coordinator of the Secretary’s Office of the Rural School of Catalonia and director of the rural school area ZER Moianès Llevant; Jaume Farrés, professor of the Faculty of Biosciences; Judith Gifreu, lecturer at the Faculty of Law; and Begonya Saez, lecturer at the Faculty of Arts & Humanities. In addition, two students who have taken part in the definition and resolution of challenges participated.

At 12 noon, two parallel sessions were run with Íngrid Noguera, lecturer at the Faculty of Education; Sílvia Blanch, vice-dean of Work Placements at the Faculty of Education; Daniel Franco, lecturer at the School of Engineering: a theoretical session entitled “What is behind CBL? Approaches to active and flexible learning”; and a practical session, in which attendants were able to participate in a simulation of how a regional challenge is worked on in class.

At 1 p.m., the last session began, in which attendants presented their experiences from the previous practical session and the ECIU University Office of Challenges will also be presented. Participants will include Íngrid Noguera, lecturer at the Faculty of Education; Myra Ronzoni, coordinator of the CBL pilot projects at the UAB, and Òscar Redondo, coordinator of challenges.

The UAB Vice-Rector for International Relations and Language Policy Laura Santamaria was in charge of giving the closing speech.