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Evaluating empowerment change of students in a challenge-based learning environment

Simonetti, F. (2022) Evaluating empowerment change of students in a challenge-based learning environment.

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Abstract:New educational models are being adopted in higher education to prepare students for the future labor market. One example is Challenge-based learning. This educational model aims at empowering students and teaching them to acquire the 21st century skills needed. In this research, the empowerment change of students in a real CBL course in higher education institution is evaluated and discussed, using the “Learner empowerment measure” consisting of a survey. This survey has been taken at four different points in time, in which a set of items address the empowerment score of each student. Additionally, interviews have been carried out to study if and how the CBL course structure affected these scores throughout a real-life CBL experience. Results from the surveys show almost no change in the empowerment throughout the course, while during the interviews students expressed empowerment changes. From the interviews, in fact, it emerged that CBL characteristics such as dealing with a real-life challenge, real-life client and scoping their own work positively affected their empowerment over time, by sensitizing students’ engagement and putting higher but constructive pressure. Nevertheless, the lack of technical guidance and the excess of freedom given to students, because of CBL, led the team to face team problems in the structurization of the working sessions. Once these problems were fixed, empowerment scores raised but not enough time was left to the end of the course, leading the CBL benefits to not be fully experienced by students.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:ET: Engineering Technology
Programme:Construction Management and Engineering MSc (60337)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/93910
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