Harnessing the Power of Competency-Based Education to Unlock Individual Potential and Teach the Real-world Skills of Tomorrow

Welcome to a bold, exciting evolution in education: competency-based education. This isn't just another educational theory — it's a paradigm shift that's sweeping across classrooms, promising to redefine the way we approach learning and teaching. This transformational approach places students at the heart of the learning process, focusing on the mastery of skills rather than merely progressing through a syllabus and completing ‘tick-and-flick’ assessments.

Here we’re exploring what competency-based education really means, why it's so valuable, and all the pro tips and tricks that’ll enable you to successfully start implementing it in your classroom right now. If you're passionate about offering a more engaging, personalised and effective learning experience for your students, you're in the right place.

Understanding what competency-based education really is and how it differs from more traditional teaching methodologies

Competency-based education, or CBE, breaks away from the traditional time-based learning model that has students study material for given periods in a relentless march towards, often theoretical, understanding. With CBE, students instead focus on mastering a specific skill or knowledge area, also known as a 'competency', and only progress to the next competency when they've built the prerequisite foundation. Or, the alternative way to look at it is that students can progress to the next competency whenever they're ready and don't have to study each knowledge area for a prescribed period of time.

Employing a competency-based education framework allows for a personalised learning approach, which results in education becoming more flexible and focused on the needs of each individual. CBE recognises that everyone's journey in acquiring knowledge or skills is unique, and it adapts to that.

Does this mean students get to dictate their learning process? In a sense, yes. Competency-based education puts the learner in the driver's seat, enabling them to take ownership of their educational journey. The teacher still plays a critical role in the learning process, but the student is no longer a passive participant.

But that's not the only facet of competency-based education. While its very name suggests the emphasis of CBE is on learning outcomes, not the time spent studying, this educational approach also differs from a more traditional teaching model in another vital way. The goal of competency-based education is to ensure students can apply their knowledge in real-world situations effectively. In other words, it's about achieving genuine understanding and usable skills, rather than simply clocking in hours in a classroom to learn theory.

There's something liberating and exciting about this approach, don't you think?

Discovering the value of competency-based learning

One significant advantage of competency-based learning is its alignment with real-world skills. Traditional education often focuses on the theory, sometimes without considering how those theories apply in practical, everyday situations. CBE, on the other hand, centres on competencies — the amalgamation of knowledge, skills, and abilities that can be directly applied in the real world.

Vocabulary.com Dictionary defines a competency as “the quality of being adequately or well qualified physically and intellectually”. However, the site’s more detailed explanation of the word sheds a lot of light on the value of a competency-based education. “Competency means ‘capability.’ Although we use it to mean someone has a sufficient qualification, it comes from the word compete, meaning that someone with competency is good enough to compete with other candidates. If you pass the medical board exams, then you have medical competency. Most jobs require that you show competency, either through certification, or on-the-job performance. If you keep faking injuries to get out of saving people, someone will eventually question your competency as a lifeguard.” So, where traditional educational models teach theories, a competency-based education framework aims to instil students with sufficient practical skill to be able to compete with others in the same field when they go out into the ‘real world’.

Remember, CBE is all about ensuring learners can demonstrate their understanding and skills effectively. It's not just about knowing; it's about doing. This approach makes learning highly relevant and transferable, equipping students for success beyond the classroom.

Competency-based assessments further add to this value. These assessments ensure that learners truly understand the subject matter before they move on, reinforcing the learning process. They're designed to measure how well students can apply their knowledge in practical scenarios, rather than just memorising information for an exam.

Additionally, CBE recognises and respects the uniqueness of each learner. It empowers students to take control of their learning journey, progressing at their own pace and focusing on their areas of interest. This flexibility can lead to higher engagement and retention rates, as students feel more connected to their learning process. It’s also fantastic for students with disabilities as it shifts the focus away from being able to do something in a particular way and towards being able to achieve the same results using a wider variety of methods.

If that sounds quite abstract, let’s look at the example of writing or typing. A student who is unable to easily manipulate the keys on a keyboard due to a physical disability, or a student with dyslexia who finds it very difficult to spell words correctly, might never be able to write long ministerial briefs in the public service. But that doesn’t mean they can’t competently communicate the information that might go into a ministerial brief. With today’s technology, they could, for instance, dictate briefing documents using speech-to-text software. So, while a traditional educational model might have such students failing modules on spelling and typing, a competency-based education framework might have them easily passing modules on communication.

But that's not the only benefit of CBE. For educators, a competency framework provides a clearer understanding of student progress. It offers detailed insights into a student's strengths and areas for improvement, allowing for more personalised and effective teaching strategies.

In a nutshell, the beauty of competency-based education lies in its learner-centric approach and its real-world application. By shifting the focus from time-based to mastery-based learning, CBE promises a more engaging, effective, and relevant educational experience.

Implementing a competency-based education framework: A practical guide 

Implementing a competency-based education framework might seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right strategies and tools, it can be a transformative and enriching experience for both educators and learners. Check out our infographic on CBE.

Firstly, the implementation of CBE starts with a competency framework. This is a detailed outline that defines the skills, knowledge, and behaviours students need to master a certain subject or skill. Educators need to carefully create this framework, ensuring it's tailored to the students' needs and aligned with real-world applications. There are many ways to do this. When it comes to higher levels of education (tertiary-level, and even upper secondary-level) alignment with real-world applications is often achieved through collaboration with industry partners who advise on the competencies students require in order to be ‘job ready’.

One popular example of competency-based training is project-based learning. This approach has students work on real-world problems or projects that help them develop relevant competencies. For instance, a maths teacher might have students design a budget for a hypothetical event, helping them apply their mathematical skills in a real-life context. Even better, that same maths teacher might have students design a budget for a real event, such as a school fundraiser or performance, giving them the opportunity to contribute something of value to a real endeavour.

Masters and post-doctoral programs are a long-standing example of this kind of approach. Students conduct their own original research and contribute to the body of scientific knowledge as part of their educational program.

We’ll talk more about this below, but it’s important to note here that the role of assessments in competency-based education must not be underestimated. Rather than traditional tests that often encourage rote memorisation, assessments in CBE need to be authentic and truly performance-based if a competency-based educational methodology is to succeed. They should measure students' ability to apply their skills and knowledge in practical contexts, providing a more accurate picture of their learning progress.

Another thing that's important for educators to understand is that competency-based learning necessitates a shift in the teacher's role. In a competency-based classroom, teachers become facilitators of learning rather than the sole dispensers of knowledge. They guide students throughout their learning journey, offering support and feedback, while empowering students to take charge of their own progress.

Adopting a competency-based approach also means educational institutions must be prepared to respect the individual learning pace of each student. Some might master a competency quickly, while others might need more time and support. It's crucial to create a learning environment that accommodates this diversity and ensures that every student can progress at their own pace without feeling left behind.

Lastly, technology plays a crucial part in implementing CBE effectively. Learning management systems, for instance, can be instrumental in tracking student progress, providing personalised learning paths, and managing competency-based assessments. As with competency-based assessments, we'll delve deeper into the role of technology in the next section.

Implementing competency-based education is a thoughtful, dynamic process that requires a shift in educational strategies. Yet, with its potential to make learning more engaging, relevant, and personalised, the effort is undoubtedly worthwhile. But if technology can reduce the level of effort, so much the better!

Harnessing technology for skills-based learning (including competency-based assessments)

In the digital age, technology's role in education has been game-changing. And that's just as true when it comes to implementing competency-based education as it is in any other area of education. Learning management systems (LMSs) form the most useful kind of technology for CBE as they can really optimise competency-based approaches in the classroom.

If you're not familiar with the term, an LMS is a type of technology designed to house all the various parts of an educational program. From videos, to written lessons, to discussion fora, to quizzes, and more, a good LMS will have the capability to host all the digital (and printable) assets required to run any kind of course. The best LMSs will also integrate with other technology that makes learning easier, such as video conferencing and collaboration tools. In the back end, a great LMS will also make it easy to store information about each student and their performance throughout their studies, so teachers can automatically collate assessment information and combine that with maual notes.

The reason, therefore, that LMS platforms, like Canvas, play an indispensable role in enabling personalised learning programs like competency-based education, is that these features are particularly helpful when designing individualised programs and assessments. In part, this is because an LMS can automate administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus more on the instructional aspects of teaching. For instance, they can track and record student progress in real time, providing vital data for educators to assess the effectiveness of their competency-based approaches. But more importantly, they make it easy for educators to assign learning materials, modules, and assessments to students both manually and automatically in response to a student's progress and scores throughout a course. In this way, educators can run fully personalised, competency-based programs at scale, without being limited as much by only being able to be in one place at any given time.

The beauty of using an LMS to help with competency-based learning lies in its flexibility and adaptability. It provides an accessible platform for creating individualised learning paths aligned with competency frameworks. Importantly, it also enables students to access materials in and out of class, both in-person and online. This means each student can progress at their own pace, moving on to the next competency only when they're ready without the direct intervention of the teacher at the time of transition to the next set of learning activities and educational materials. An LMS can also provide timely and personalised feedback, aiding students in understanding their strengths and areas for improvement. This doesn't mean educators aren't involved in this process, but there are many areas that can be automated, ready for a human teacher to put the finishing touches on when needed.

As an example, competency-based assessments might include quizzes to test the theoretical foundations and project-based assessments to test the related real-life skills. An LMS can automatically record quiz scores and recommend further learning materials or an appropriate project-based assessment as the next step based on the quiz scores and the student's personally preferences recorded in the system. The educator can then score the project once completed, and the LMS can automatically deliver the next piece of the puzzle based on the results entered manually by the educator. Over time, as more assessments and student preferences are entered into the system, the LMS can make increasingly nuanced learning plans for each student.

In this way, LMSs like Canvas, provide flexibility that's particularly important in the era of remote and blended learning.

In essence, the integration of technology in competency-based education offers a myriad of benefits. From streamlining administrative processes to individualising learning paths and facilitating assessments, a learning management system can prove to be an invaluable tool in realising the full potential of a competency-based education framework. While technology is not a panacea for all educational challenges, when used strategically, it can significantly enhance the implementation and effectiveness of skills-based education.

Navigating the challenges of competency-based education

It’ll come as no surprise to you that implementing something as radically different as competency-based education can present a variety of challenges. However, by understanding these potential obstacles, we can create strategies to overcome them effectively. So, if you decide you’re ready to start the switch to competency-based learning and assessments, keep these ideas in mind.

One major challenge is the transition from traditional assessment models to competency-based ones. These authentic assessments require students to demonstrate real-world skills, which can be daunting to both educators and students used to more traditional methods. After all, students may be used to cramming the night before a multiple-choice test and soon you’ll be expecting them to actually perform tasks based on the skills they’ve learned. But don't fret! With a careful design process and clear criteria, these assessments can become powerful tools for learning and growth. Here at Instructure, we’ve seen thousands of competency-based assessments and have realised the most successful ones are those that students enjoy doing. Instead of students panicking that they’re suddenly being expected to, for example, build something to earn their grades, you’ll find them excited that they get to do another cool practical activity.

As just one example, students in a maths class might have to design and build their own small, wooden car. This would be a wonderful way to test each student’s mastery of measurement, geometry, scale and proportion, and more. Depending on the level of the students, the assessment could also incorporate graphing and data analysis by asking students to measure the car's performance (e.g. distance travelled or time taken to travel a particular distance), and cost-benefit analysis (e.g. the costs of using certain materials and how they impact on the car's performance). Such an assessment could even be done across classes. For instance, an art teacher could have students paint the cars and could assess them on their choice of medium and artistic/design choices. And, happily, this is the kind of assessment that can be done in classes that span multiple year groups, such as a k-2 class, a 3-6 class, or even a k-6 class, as it becomes a relatively simple matter to put students in groups for the task and ask them to do different parts of the car's build depending on their year level and individual abilities.

Often, an elephant in the room during CBE discussions is that the shift to student-centred learning might also require a significant change in mindset for many educators. Teachers may need training and support to adjust their teaching methods and to use technology effectively. Professional development programs focusing on all aspects of CBE, from how to build a competency-based education framework to designing competency-based lessons and assessments, can empower educators to master these new approaches.

Finally, achieving consistency in how competencies are defined and assessed can present a challenge, particularly when striving for equitable assessment across diverse learning contexts. It's crucial to set clear and uniform expectations that facilitate fair comparisons and support each student's progress. Here are a few strategies educators can implement:

1. The use of a well-structured competency framework is a vital starting point. Such a framework should clearly outline the skills, knowledge, and behaviours expected of students at various learning stages. It should provide a consistent benchmark against which all learners can be assessed.
2. Teachers can engage in regular calibration meetings where they discuss and review student work against the competency standards. These meetings can help ensure that all educators share a common understanding of what the competency standards look like in practice.
3. The use of technology, such as a robust LMS, can be invaluable in providing standardised assessment tools. These digital platforms can host rubrics, exemplars, and feedback tools to promote consistent and equitable assessment.
4. Ongoing professional development and training in competency-based education can equip teachers with the knowledge and skills they need to accurately define and assess competencies.

By staying current with the latest research and best practices, teachers can apply these insights to their assessment strategies, enhancing consistency across different learning contexts. Remember, change isn't easy, but it's often necessary for growth. With thoughtful planning, continuous support, and a pinch of patience, everyone in the education industry can navigate these challenges and unlock the transformative potential of competency-based education in our classrooms.

Embrace the future of education with competency-based education

Competency-based education is a transformative approach that promotes individual growth and aligns learning with the real-world skills tomorrow's employers will be looking for. As we've explored, implementing it might be a challenge, but the rewards are immense. Technology, like learning management systems, can play a pivotal role in facilitating this process.

With its focus on mastery and personalisation, competency-based education paves the way for the future of teaching and learning. Let's seize the opportunity to make our classrooms more engaging, relevant, and effective for all learners. Embrace competency-based training today and witness a revolution in learning.

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