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What Is Competency

The document discusses competency-based learning, an approach to education that focuses on students demonstrating desired learning outcomes through progression at their own pace. It is similar to mastery-based learning but focuses more on observable skills. There is disagreement around what exactly competency-based learning entails. A key characteristic is its focus on mastery, with students required to demonstrate competency in identified learning outcomes before progressing. It can be an effective model if implemented with strong support systems and clear, accessible learning outcomes. Benefits include flexibility for students, but challenges include agreeing on competencies and assessment.

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Jaff Lawrence
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37 views

What Is Competency

The document discusses competency-based learning, an approach to education that focuses on students demonstrating desired learning outcomes through progression at their own pace. It is similar to mastery-based learning but focuses more on observable skills. There is disagreement around what exactly competency-based learning entails. A key characteristic is its focus on mastery, with students required to demonstrate competency in identified learning outcomes before progressing. It can be an effective model if implemented with strong support systems and clear, accessible learning outcomes. Benefits include flexibility for students, but challenges include agreeing on competencies and assessment.

Uploaded by

Jaff Lawrence
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What Is Competency-Based Learning?

by TeachThought Staff
Competency-based learning is an approach to education that focuses on the
student’s demonstration of desired learning outcomes as central to the learning
process.

It is concerned chiefly with a student’s progression through curriculum at their


own pace, depth, etc. As competencies are proven, students continue to progress. It
is similar to mastery-based learning, with the primary difference being that
competency-based learning often focuses observable skills or ‘competencies,’
while mastery learning may be academic–as likely to focus on concepts as skills.

Like most things education-related, there is disagreement of what competency-


based learning actually means, what its defining traits are, and how it should
ideally be used or function. It is traditionally thought of in terms of skills and
vocation, but it can be entirely “academic” as well.
The Charateristics Of Competency-Based Learning
A key characteristic of competency-based learning is its focus on mastery. In other
learning models, students are exposed to content–whether skills or concepts–over
time, and success is measured summatively. In a competency-based learning
system, students are not allowed to continue until they have demonstrated mastery
of the identified competencies (i.e., the desired learning outcomes to be
demonstrated). In this way, competency-based learning is closely tied to mastery
learning.

It is similar to outcomes-based learning in that said outcomes–in this case, called


‘competencies’–are identified beforehand, and students are frequently assessed. In
this way, competency-based learning can be thought of as a form of outcomes-
based learning.

Marzano’s 9 Instructional Strategies For Teaching And Learning


What Is The Feynman Technique?
See also 21st Century Teacher’s Dictionary
Pros & Cons Of Competency-Based Learning
How ‘good’ or ‘bad’ it is depends on the ecology it is embedded in. In a system
with deep and diverse support systems, robust assessment forms, and clear and
manageable learning outcomes that are accessible to all learners, competency-
based learning can be an effective model, potentially reducing inefficiency
(including time spent learning) and increasing pedagogical precision and student
achievement.

Its strengths lie in its flexibility, as learners are able to move at their own pace.
This supports students with diverse knowledge backgrounds, literacy levels, and
other related aptitudes. Its challenges should sound familiar to most educators,
including the difficulty in identifying–and agreeing upon–the most important
competencies, how to best assess them, and how to support learners that struggle.

On paper, technology adds a new wrinkle to competency-based learning, as it


provides students with access to content to develop said competencies. If every
student can access the same content the teacher does, there is less of a need for the
class to move together, and students are able to prove their understanding on more
personal and authentic terms.

The following infographic focuses on higher ed, but it is a useful primer if you’re
new to the concept.
COMPETENCY-BASED
LEARNING
LAST UPDATED: 05.14.14
Competency-based learning refers to systems of instruction, assessment,
grading, and academic reporting that are based on students demonstrating that they
have learned the knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress
through their education. In public schools, competency-based systems use
state learning standards to determine academic expectations and define
“competency” or “proficiency” in a given course, subject area, or grade level
(although other sets of standards may also be used, including standards developed
by districts and schools or by subject-area organizations). The general goal of
competency-based learning is to ensure that students are acquiring the knowledge
and skills that are deemed to be essential to success in school, higher education,
careers, and adult life. If students fail to meet expected learning standards, they
typically receive additional instruction, practice time, and academic support to
help them achieve competency or meet the expected standards.

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