A comprehensive guide to Competency-Based Education software

There has been a steady rise in educational responsibility in the United States these days. Hence educational programs worldwide are vested in trying to figure out progressive ways of measuring student outcomes.

Competency-based education is an outcome of such an upsurge that links theory to practice. It is built to assist educational institutions to deliver highly competent competency-based education (CBE). CBE is thus the favorite of academic institutions and accreditation agencies. 

This ebook is a learner’s guide to competency-based education that discusses everything under it. It is similar to a handbook for personalized competency-based education. We hope you find this useful.

Introduction to the competency-based education

Competency-based learning CBE has a unique approach to education, with students' learning outcomes and their demonstration of skills being central to the learning process. Students under CBE are encouraged to progress at their own pace and length. It believes that students' progress happens when their competencies are proven.

Competency-based education is sometimes muddled with other phrases including problem‐based learning, outcome-based learning, mastery based learning, and performance based learning. However, CBE carries its own essence that is very unique to itself.

In short, CBE has an outcome-based approach that clubs different modes of delivery and assessment methods under it, aiming to evaluate the mastery attained by students, wherein they get to exhibit their accumulated skills, knowledge, values, and attitudes by the end of their degree attainment.
 

What is the definition of Competency-based Education?

Competency-based education definition in Spady’s (1977) words is “a data‐based, adaptive, performance‐oriented set of integrated processes that facilitate, measure, record, and certify within the context of flexible time parameters the demonstration of known, explicitly stated, and agreed-upon competency-based learning outcomes that reflect successful functioning in life roles” (p. 10).

What is the history of Competency-based Education?

Competency-based education (CBE) has its roots in the early 1970s when it was first developed as an alternative to traditional education models. The concept of CBE was inspired by the need for more personalized and flexible learning opportunities that focused on the mastery of specific skills and competencies rather than the completion of a prescribed number of credits.

The earliest examples of CBE programs were developed in the vocational education sector, with the aim of providing job training that would lead to employment opportunities. These programs were typically structured around specific competencies that were directly related to the needs of employers.

In the 1990s, CBE gained more traction in the higher education sector, with the development of online learning technologies that made it easier to deliver personalized and flexible learning opportunities. This led to the development of new CBE programs in a range of fields, including business, nursing, education, and computer science.

Since then, CBE has continued to evolve, with new programs and models emerging that are designed to meet the changing needs of learners and employers. Today, CBE is recognized as an effective approach to education that offers a range of benefits, including increased flexibility, personalized learning, and a focus on skills mastery.

Competency-based education vs Outcomes-based education

Both competency-based education and outcomes-based education are distinct learning strategies that put different emphases on the development of students.

Competency-based education (CBE) is a methodology that places more emphasis on acquiring particular skills or competencies than it does on simply finishing a series of courses or accruing credits. In CBE, students work their way through a curriculum at their own pace, advancing to the next competency only after proving they have mastered the previous one. This strategy offers a more individualized learning experience by letting students concentrate on the areas where they need to grow.

Instead of emphasizing the precise competencies that students must learn, outcomes-based education (OBE) focuses on the desired outcomes or results of learning. With an emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving, and other higher-order thinking skills, OBE seeks to produce students who can apply their knowledge in practical settings. The goal is to produce graduates who are knowledgeable, skilled, and capable of excelling in their chosen fields.

Though the CBE and OBE’s approaches are different, they do have commonly shared features including the student-centered approach, the emphasis on student mastery, the continuous improvement of student learning, the alignment of curriculum with learning objectives, the assessment of student learning, and the clear expectations for student performance. 

What is Competence?

To understand what competency-based education or competency-based learning is, it is important to know what competence means. The word “competence” simply means skill.

To define, competence is “a person’s ability to put into practice his knowledge, how he/she performs specific tasks and his/her attitudes towards a job.”

(Miguel Angel Lopez, 2013)

Therefore competency is

1. Measurable - the skill attained by the individual should be measurable with a set of assessments or tools
2. Solution - a competent person should be able to apply his knowledge better than a person who just learns theory, definition, and concept to deal with real-world scenarios  
3. Ethical - a competent individual always applies his practical knowledge, experience, and ability to get his job done ethically and never by unfair means.
4. Resourceful - such a person comes packed with enough skills, and attitudes to apply his learning to real-life scenarios and would be resourceful to troubleshoot any issues that might come up. 

What is competency-based education?

Competency-based education (CBE) is an approach to learning that focuses on the mastery of specific competencies or skills as the primary goal of education. In CBE, the focus is on demonstrating mastery of a specific set of competencies or skills rather than simply completing a set curriculum. Students progress through the program at their own pace based on mastery of each competency, rather than following a set timeline or curriculum. 

The curriculum is designed around the competencies that students are expected to master, and teaching strategies focus on developing those competencies in students. Assessment in CBE is used to determine mastery of each competency before moving on to the next one and may include a variety of methods such as exams, projects, or demonstrations of skill. 

CBE is often used in vocational or technical education, where specific job-related skills are required, but it can also be applied in other fields where mastery of a set of competencies is important for success.

In short, the characteristics of competency-based education are,

• It focuses on specific competencies or skills—rather than on broader subject areas.
• CBE is mastery-based learning—it ensures students progress through CBE programs based on their mastery of each competency, rather than following a predetermined timeline or schedule.
• It emphasizes learning at a flexible pace with additional support.
• CBE programs are designed to meet the individual needs of each student, with personalized support and resources to help them succeed.
• It uses ongoing assessment to measure student progress towards mastery of each competency.
• CBE often focus on the real-world application of knowledge and skills, with opportunities for students to apply what they are learning in a practical setting.
• Collaborative learning with peers, mentors, or industry partners is another characteristic of competency-based education.

What is the need for competency-based education?

40 years of rule… and many more to come.

It’s roughly 40 years of competency-based education rule today and it continues to remain in its spotlight. The importance of competency-based education is higher these days. 

The 2016 American Institutes for Research and Eduventures draws conclusions about the enormous benefits of competency-based education statistics. It had responses from 501 administrators. Of them, 57 of the colleges were operating with at least one competency-based credential, for a combined total of 512 programs. 427 had CBE at the undergraduate level and 85 had it at the graduate level. And surprisingly, 430 institutions consigned their interest in taking up competency-based education or were in the process of adapting to it. Among them, 51% were public institutions, 44% were nonprofit and private and 5 percent were profit institutions.

Here is a quick summary of the need for competency-based education.

• Addresses the limitations of traditional education models
• Provides a more personalized and flexible learning experience
• Focuses on mastery of specific skills and competencies relevant to career readiness
• Better aligns with individual needs and career goals
• Provides students with practical and directly applicable skills for the workforce
• Responds to the changing nature of the job market
• Supports lifelong learning and skill development

The result is evident in the gradual pace by which competency-based education has picked up of late. It has recently been spreading gradually with many degree programs hanging on to it with plenty of hope.
 

Let’s take one more example from the Western Governors University in the USA with around 40,000 students pioneering competency-based learning.
 

Reports confirm that with the support and guidance from the Federal Department of Education, USA, the competency-based education high school can further expand. Some of the other universities that have picked up competency-based education for working adults and employees are College for America and Southern New Hampshire University. Following the list are Capella University and Northern Arizona University.
 

What are the reasons why higher education institutions are turning to competency-based education, CBE?

Competency-based education (CBE) is gaining popularity among higher education institutions for several reasons.

Here are some of them the reasons for CBE gaining popularity:

1. Flexibility

CBE allows students to progress at their own pace and complete their coursework when they demonstrate mastery of the competencies, rather than according to a traditional academic calendar.

2. Efficiency

Because students are assessed on their mastery of specific competencies, they can skip over material they already know and focus on learning what they need to. This can save time and resources.

3. Customization

CBE can be tailored to the specific needs and goals of individual students, allowing them to focus on the competencies that are most relevant to their career aspirations.

4. Relevance

CBE focuses on real-world skills and competencies, rather than just academic knowledge. This can make it more attractive to students who want to develop practical skills that will be directly applicable in the workforce.

5. Accountability

CBE puts the focus on student learning outcomes and mastery of specific competencies, rather than just completing courses or earning grades. This can lead to greater accountability for both students and institutions.

5. Accessibility

CBE can be delivered online, which can make it more accessible to students who are unable to attend traditional on-campus courses due to geographical or other constraints.

6. Improved retention and completion rates

CBE programs are designed to help students succeed by breaking down learning into smaller, more manageable units. This can lead to higher retention rates and increased completion rates, especially for non-traditional students who may struggle with traditional educational models.

7. Increased student engagement

CBE is a more student-centered approach to education, which can lead to increased engagement and motivation to learn. By focusing on competencies and skills that are relevant to the student's goals and aspirations, CBE can help students see the value and relevance of their education.

8. Comparatively low tuition fee

CBE can be more cost-effective than traditional education models because it allows students to progress at their own pace, which can result in shorter completion times and reduced tuition fees.

9. Alignment with industry standards

CBE programs are often designed in collaboration with industry experts to ensure that students are learning the competencies and skills that are most in-demand by employers. This can help to bridge the gap between education and the workforce and ensure that students are better prepared for employment after graduation.

10. Personalized learning experiences

CBE allows students to learn in a way that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences. By providing personalized learning experiences, CBE can help students to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

11. Continuous learning

CBE programs are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to continue learning and developing their skills throughout their careers. This can help to ensure that graduates remain competitive in a rapidly changing job market.

Differences between the Traditional method of education and the CBE

The traditional method of education is based on a time-based model where students progress through courses and academic programs according to a predetermined schedule. This model is often lecture-based and focuses on the transmission of knowledge from the instructor to the student. In contrast, competency-based education (CBE) is a model that focuses on the mastery of specific skills and competencies, regardless of how long it takes to achieve them. 

What are the benefits of Competency-based Education?

With CBE having made its way into various faculty including the Nursing, Dental, Medical, and Healthcare fields, its benefits, and scope have increased beyond measure.

 
The top 10 benefits of competency-based education are as follows; 

1. Student work at their own pace
2. Flexibility
3. A ticket to gain real-world experience
4. Personalized way of teaching
5. Timely support
6. Purpose-driven
7. A novelty in assessment and grading
8. A different strategy for communicating progress
9. A skill-based training program
10. Affordability
     

Who is competency-based learning for?

Competency-based learning specifically suits an adult learner who has had the life experience with several competencies or skills either through formal education or training. He or she could even be a school/college dropout and someone who wishes to get back to his formal study.
 
It could be someone who wants his earlier learning to be acknowledged or an aggressive learner who wishes to develop specific skills as a part-timer.

If you may ask how competency-based learning gets delivered, it is through a campus program. On a larger scale, these days CBE gets delivered online with many students already employed. At present, CBE has expanded across fields including Nursing, Dental, Medical, Healthcare, etc.

The table below would help you talk to different stakeholder groups about it. Let us take faculty, administrators, students, legislators, and K-12 into consideration.

Ways to communicate competency-based education to varied audiences

How are assessments conducted in competency-based education?

Assessments in competency-based education (CBE) is conducted through performance-based evaluations, where students demonstrate mastery of specific skills and competencies. These assessments are often project-based, with students working on real-world problems and applying their knowledge and skills to create solutions. 

The assessments are typically designed to measure mastery of specific learning objectives and may be evaluated using rubrics or other objective criteria. The focus is on demonstrating proficiency rather than a passing grade, and students are given multiple opportunities to demonstrate their mastery until they achieve a high level of proficiency.
 

We have one of our blogs that speaks in detail about the Assessments in CBE. Here is a quick link to it. 

How are competency-based programs are designed?

The design process for competency-based programs can vary depending on the institution and the specific program being developed. However, there are several key steps that are typically involved in designing a competency-based program:

Let’s talk about how competency-based learning is designed.

Step 1: Defining competencies 

The first step is to identify and define the specific skills and competencies that students will need to master in order to be successful in their chosen field. These competencies may be based on industry standards, job requirements, or other factors.

The CBEN (Competency-Based Education Network) goes on to say that competencies when well-defined will include the following features:

• Mastery: competencies exhibit the highest level of mastery that is expected from any knowledge/performance
• Measurability: competencies that define measurable outcomes using clear language
• Relevancy: competencies that help demonstrate necessary skills, knowledge, and capabilities relevant to specific work, licensing, and professional expectations
• Accuracy: Competencies that accurately reflect and help achieve performance requirements in line with workplace and professional standards

 
Following to define the competencies based on the above criteria is sure to be beneficial to both employers and educators. Another trick that works when defining competency-based education is breaking down unclear goals into specific and measurable competencies. Some of the specific competencies can be built around online courses too.
 

Step 2: Develop courses, programs, and learning outcomes

Once the competencies have been identified, the next step is to develop courses, programs, and specific learning outcomes that will be used to assess student mastery of those competencies. These outcomes should be measurable and clearly define what students will be able to do after completing the program.

This process includes the involvement of various stakeholder groups and third-party subject matter experts. While designing courses and programs, a lot of educational resources get used too. An LMS with a specially designed portal for each course, online resources, lectures, and e-textbooks could be of help here.
 

Step 3: Create learning resources

Learning resources, including readings, videos, lectures, and other materials, should be designed to support student mastery of the identified competencies. These resources should be engaging and interactive to help students stay motivated and focused.

 
Step 4: Develop a pacing guide

A pacing guide outlines the sequence of learning activities and assessments for the program, as well as the timeline for completion. It should be flexible enough to accommodate different student needs while ensuring that all students are able to progress through the program in a timely manner.

Step 5: Learner support

Learner support is an essential component of competency-based education (CBE) to help students succeed. CBE programs typically provide a range of support services, such as academic advising, tutoring, peer mentoring, and technical support to help students navigate the program and overcome any challenges they may encounter. These services are designed to be flexible and accessible, and they may be delivered in person or online, depending on the needs of the students.

Additionally, faculty and staff are available to provide ongoing feedback and support to help students stay on track and achieve their learning goals. Effective learner support can help to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed in their CBE program.
 
 

Step 6: Implement and evaluate 

Once the program has been designed, it should be implemented and evaluated to ensure that it is meeting the needs of students and helping them to achieve the identified competencies. Ongoing evaluation and feedback can help to identify areas for improvement and ensure that the program remains relevant and effective over time.

CBE’s assessments clearly have an assessment strategy and assessment plan which include,

• the total no. of competency-based learning outcomes to be achieved
• the no. of performance levels to be achieved for those outcomes
• know-how in analyzing the performance results
   

The idea of continuous improvement in CBE

CBE without a continuous improvement plan is nothing but equal to failure. In the course, specific metrics have to be evaluated, and benchmark levels of performance have to be attained. 

Following this, the performance results would be reviewed --> analyzed --> shared with stakeholders.
The key improvement points should also be identified and improvement plans should be suggested.

Things do not stop there. The actions are to be reviewed --> approved --> implemented. Thus the continuous improvement cycle gets repeated, forming a history of continuous improvement.

Note:- The programmatic accrediting agencies expect this sort of continuous improvement cycle of documentation as part of their review cycle.

While this document is mostly generated at the program/institution level, at a granular level, the Assessment Learning Cycle gets implemented within the courses of the curriculum. The success of the program depends on how well the cycle is planned and implemented.
 

What are the strengths and weaknesses of competency-based education?

To better understand, it is necessary to know the competency-based education pros and cons.

The strengths of CBE

Advocates and practitioners of CBE have pointed out many strengths of the competency-based learning approach.

1. CBE is in line with the exact business needs and its professions
2. It is specially designed for students who are either already working, for those who wish to receive a career advancement within the company, or for those who are unemployed with a wish to be employed after getting qualified
3. The program allows even learners with a commitment to master at their own pace
4. It allows students to even speed up their completion time by recognizing their prior learning
5. Students get one-to-one mentor support
6. Highly affordable tuition fees which even a yet-to-be employee could manage to pay
7. Most of the CBE programs are recognized as eligible for home loans and student aids

The weaknesses in CBE

The disadvantages of competency-based education are that it doesn’t work well the same way with most learning environments. Here are the reasons for CBE’s weaknesses or the challenges of competency-based education.

1. CBE’s main focus is the needs of the immediate employer. Hence it ignores preparing learners for the uncertain future
2. Sometimes it is rigid and less adaptable. CBE might not suit areas that need prescribing specific competencies or in areas where new skills/knowledge has to be quickly adapted
3. CBE is objective in its approach, which grades the learner with just a pass or fail based on their skill attainment level
4. The very concept of CBE ignores social learning

 
Defining Competencies and Outlining Assessment Strategies for CBE Programs 
 
The days of lecturing to a classroom of students are gone. Instead, reaching out to students who are struggling, checking in with students who haven’t accessed any course materials lately, and providing support to the students who need additional help become the faculty’s new responsibilities.

Few faculty can even comprehend what this might look like, as it goes against the role they’re used to. But just as the student assumes responsibility for learning the material and demonstrating mastery, so faculty must also assume a different role to ensure the success of the program (Voorhees & Bedard-Voorhees, 2015).

Conclusion - Creatrix Competency-based education software services

Even though competency-based learning is a newly picked approach, it is increasingly spreading out suiting learners and employers of all kinds, including those wishing for skill updates, or those searching for mid-level jobs that require related and identifiable skills. 

We assume that you now know the intricacy associated with CBE learning, and we are sure you now know the importance of CBE software to create positive learning outcomes. Allowing students to demonstrate their mastery of knowledge, while still allowing them to access a variety of learning materials, guided activities, and support from faculty, things could get a bit challenging. An effective CBE tool is all that you wanted. 

Creatrix Campus Competence-based Education software can assist you in planning for your CBE rollout. With extensive research across the world, working with CBE experts, and academic leaders we have come up with a solution that makes implementing CBE at your institution smooth and easy across faculty such as Nursing, Dental, Medical, Healthcare, etc.
 

We help you effectively plan and execute your learner’s competencies. Our team of experts and our differentiated software can imbibe your learners with the required skills, knowledge, and gradual attributes to get them workplace-ready. We also help institutions like yours to easily meet the requirements set by accrediting bodies. Creatrix Campus has features including a competency framework, rubrics & mapping, a customizable curriculum, and an insightful CBE Dashboard. 
Creatrix CBE is known for;

• Advanced mappings to identify learner-driven processes
• Competency tracking tools to identify gaps in competency proficiency
• Diverse processes for learners to access learning material 
• Tools for collating experience, qualifications, and methods for storing, organizing, assigning, and editing competency frameworks

We also do,

• Program Planning
• Recruit and Enroll
• Competency and LO Mapping
• Self-Paced Learning (LMS)
• CBE mapped Assessments
• Student Progress
• Student Portfolio
• Course and Faculty Evaluation
• Sophisticated Reporting and Accreditation

Get in touch with our team for more details.