1. Welcome & Framing (5 min)
- Quick intro and context: the growth of challenge-based learning (CBL) and gamification research.
- Connect to the theme Designing the Future of Learning.
- Engagement: short poll or hand-raise activity on how participants currently use “challenges” in learning.
2. The Research Behind CBL (5 min)
- Present key findings from NSF-supported studies on engagement, motivation, and learning outcomes.
- Draw distinctions between true CBL and surface-level gamification.
- Audience reflection: pairs discuss where their current lessons succeed or struggle in engagement.
3. Gamification vs. Challenge-Based Learning (10 min)
- Analyze effective gamification principles that drive collaboration and perseverance.
- Interactive ranking: participants identify features from familiar classroom tools that either enhance or hinder CBL goals.
4. Technology Evaluation with the SAMR Model (5 min)
- Demonstrate how to evaluate classroom tech through the SAMR framework.
- Peer activity: attendees choose one of their favorite tools and evaluate it in small groups.
5. Findings from the Field (5 min)
- Share case studies and examples from Michigan classrooms implementing CBL.
- Audience Q&A to connect examples to attendees’ own contexts.
6. Hands-On Challenge Simulation (25 min)
- Attendees experience a short live mission using the Mission.io platform (free educator accounts provided).
- Debrief: connect observed elements to evidence-based practices discussed earlier.
7. Action Planning & Playbook Creation (5 min)
- Participants draft one concrete way to integrate challenge-based or gamified learning into an upcoming lesson.
- Peer-to-peer sharing for feedback.
Participants will leave with a personalized Challenge-Based Learning Playbook—a concrete action plan for redesigning one lesson or unit into a student-centered challenge. Through hands-on exploration, attendees will apply evidence-based strategies for engagement, collaboration, and authentic assessment. They’ll also receive free educator access to the NSF-supported Mission.io platform used during the session, allowing them to continue experimenting with the same challenge-based tools demonstrated. By the end, participants will have both the framework and the resources to immediately implement deeper, more engaging learning in their classrooms.
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