Mathematics students’ self-reported resources used for solving real-life problems in a challenge-based modelling course

There are new educational approaches that are moving towards student-centred teaching and learning. One of them is challenge-based education, where students acquire and develop disciplinary knowledge and competencies by collaborating on solving real-life problems. Hence, in this paper, we report on a study of applied mathematics students’ learning experiences in the context of challenge-based education in a higher education mathematics course. Using a case study approach, we investigate how students perceive the role of the different resources to help them solve real-life problems during a one-week challenge-based modelling course. We collected data, from four groups of students (5–7 students each) who worked together and interacted with their mathematics supervisors and problem owners. Results show (1) the crucial importance of using and integrating different resources, such as social resources (e.g. mathematics supervisors and problem owner), for such learning environments to link mathematics to an authentic situation and develop the skills of an ‘applied mathematician in the real world’; (2) the relevance of mathematical knowledge in creating models to solve real-life challenges.