While it seems as though Challenge Based Learning is not really applicable to the early childhood field, it is in a smaller way possible. I am taking the ece family class, and we discuss at length how to create an anti biased classroom. I remember Professor Chu telling a story that took on a project approach to create. She started by describing that the classroom atmosphere she had helped to create was one of inquiry and wonder. The preschoolers questioned the world around them and sought answers in the community. The issue that these preschoolers were addressing in the classroom happened to be look related. There were recognizing the differences among each other: hair color/texture, eye color, skin color, height, etc. The class recognized that everyones skin was a different color and that it made them unique--it was truly anti-biased. Well one day the kiddos were coloring and one happened to use the color 'flesh'. The preschoolers looked for other colors also labeled flesh that better fit friends whose skin was not the same color as the first crayon found. They had no success. The teacher supported the class to figure out how to solve the issue and the class ended up writing the Crayola company to that labeling one color as flesh is untrue because everyone comes in different colors.
Challenge Based Learning definitely has a place in ece classrooms. As long as the children are taught to inquire about the world around them, they will uncover challenges in the world that must be solved. This 'Project Approach', as referred to in ece, is not so much technology based and the teacher does have a larger part in the project: helping to guide the students through problem solving. None-the-less, young children can also accomplish challenge based learning as it "is collaborative and handson, 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." (p. 1)
Kelsey, my ECE friend, love the review! I totally understand the whole project approach and sometimes feeling like people forget about the little kids! Its amazing what they can learn and do when given the right support and the opportunity. I took an ece class and we read the book shoe and meter, you've read that right? Well for anyone who hasn't its an italian book that documents the progress of a preschool class (reggio) who were given the task of finding a way to explain to a carpenter about a table they wanted, so they needed a way to give him measurements and find out about everything involved. Its really amazing book and i love how creative and supportive the students were and the teachers. It also reminds me how young children can be interested and keep involved in an activity for a long time, i believe the book took place over months. Love seeing CBL in older classrooms and I think knowing about it will help improve our uses of the project approach when we are teaching.
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