On a sunny Thursday afternoon, an enthusiastic group of up-and-coming educational designers and developers found a space and place within Matrix building halls to feed their curiosity about Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) and explore the CBL Teaching Toolkit. Chiara Treglia, education designer at TU/e Innovation Space and one of the main content creators of the toolkit, guided the group through an exploration of the methods and tools from the perspective of a trainer. This role is crucial as it involves helping teachers use this toolkit for (re)designing their courses.
Among the participants was Christa van der Toorn, who currently leads the development of the CBL Teaching Toolkit at TU/e. With two decades of expertise under her belt, Christa is the one knowing all ins and outs of educational innovation and digital transformation. However, by her own admission, she does not consider herself a CBL expert, making her participate in a workshop centered around a toolkit she helped to create a particularly intriguing scenario.
Diving into this unique workshop experience, we sat down with Christa to discuss her reflections and insights on bringing the CBL Teaching Toolkit from concept to classroom.
Q: Christa, why did you decide to join the workshop, given you are already so familiar with the CBL Teaching Toolkit as its development leader?
Christa: "Being part of the workshop was a conscious decision to step into the shoes of our target audience – teachers and teacher supporters. It is one thing to develop and synthesize the tools and another to use them effectively. This experience was about bridging that gap, understanding firsthand the challenges and uncertainties that come with applying new educational concepts such as CBL. And how to overcome them.
Q: During the workshop, you mentioned experiencing a moment of surprise. Can you elaborate on that?
Christa: "Absolutely. Despite having handled these design tools countless times and refining them together with Chiara, the workshop made me realize I had not fully mastered applying them myself. It is a humbling reminder of the difference between knowing the theory and engaging in practice."
Q: Did you encounter any personal challenges during the workshop?
Christa: "Yes, and quite significantly. I felt a wave of insecurity, questioning whether I could effectively guide a team of teachers, even if I am familiar with all those tools. This doubt mirrors what many educators and education specialists might feel venturing into CBL. It was reassuring when Chiara emphasized that bringing one’s entire life experience into the design process is more valuable than having all the answers upfront."
Q: What was a key takeaway from your participation?
Christa: "Practicing with the tools highlighted a critical lesson: failing to understand an instruction is not the end. It encouraged an environment where everyone actively engaged and came up with brilliant ideas. It drives home the point that even the most straightforward tools require guidance when being applied for the first time."
Q: Seeing the toolkit in action during the workshop, how did you feel about its implementation?
Christa: "It was genuinely exhilarating to witness the toolkit come to life. Observing the enthusiasm and creativity it sparked among participants confirmed its effectiveness. It's one thing to design a toolkit; it's another to see it inspire and facilitate real change! And, importantly, innovation is not just about creating; it is about participating, learning, and evolving with your audience. I encourage anyone involved in educational development to 'eat their own dog food' at least once. It’s an eye-opener."
Q: And finally, what would you say to educators considering implementing CBL in their courses using the toolkit?
Christa: "Dive in. The toolkit is designed to demystify CBL and make it accessible. But remember, the first step can be the most challenging. Do not be afraid to experiment, learn from your experiences, and leverage the community around you. The CBL Teaching Toolkit is not just a resource; it is a gateway to transforming education."
Are you interested to participate in similar workshops practicing CBL Teaching Toolkit as a teacher or as a teacher trainer / teacher support officer? Check our workshops page and stay tuned for updates!
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More about Christa van der Toorn, Educational and behavioral designer on Linked-In.