ACOT2 and Challenge Based Learning - its worth a look!

In my last blog i wrote about the five pedagogical approaches. In this blog I mention a new approach called 'Challenge based Learning'. Its an approach to learning developed by Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow and Today (ACOT2). According to ACOT2, 

"Challenge Based Learning is an engaging multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to leverage the technology they use in their daily lives to solve real-world problems. Challenge Based Learning is collaborative and hands-on, asking students to work with other students, their teachers, and experts in their communities and around the world to develop deeper knowledge of the subjects students are studying, accept and solve challenges, take action, share their experience, and enter into a global discussion about important issues". 

Here is the link to the site: http://ali.apple.com/cbl/components.html

Why I am posting this on the blog. Two reasons. One, the approach is relevant with project based learning approach and use of technology to address real life problems and initiate young minds to start critically thinking about them. And second, may be obvious to most, yet intriguing for me is the fact that increasingly, players who create technological advances like Apple and even Oracle invest in education as a medium where technology and pedagogy can merge and make education relevant to the advances of the technological age. for eg: ACOT2 by Apple and ThinkQuest by Oracle (www.thinkquest.org)

I guess it also shows how technological push can also create new approaches to teaching - 'challenge based learning'. 

Interesting and Intriguing nevertheless!