Competency-based Learning and Assessment
Overview
Competency-based learning is self-paced, focused on mastery, and centered around demonstrating learning outcomes and skills rather than where or how they were attained. The emphasis is on what is learned regardless of how long it takes. A main principle is that it seeks to understand and remove bias, which can thus help mitigate negative effects of Stereotype Threat, Adverse Experiences, and Socioeconomic Status. In the workplace, competency-based learning is centered around mastering job-related competencies (skills) that are demonstrated, often through applied projects. Key elements include progression through demonstration of mastery, personalization, flexible assessment, and development of specific skills and dispositions.
Use It In Your Learning Environment
Competency-based learning programs typically include asynchronous, self-paced activities and allow learners to have repeated attempts as part of the learning process toward developing mastery. Adult learners are supported with greater flexibility in balancing their learning tasks and personal responsibilities. Implementation varies substantially and results in differential effects with adult learners based on their Background Knowledge, previous educational experiences, Self-Regulation, and Learner Mindset. For adult learners, high levels of success have been found by pairing competency-based learning with peer coaching/mentoring, ensuring instructor accessibility, providing additional support for goal-setting and monitoring, and/or providing a peer discussion board.
Learners who benefit most from competency-based learning are independent, self-driven learners who have a growth mindset. Since competency-based learning is outcomes-based, the design and implementation of assessments is critical. Assessment design must be clear, accurate, consistent and a measurable means of demonstrating the given skills, which means mapping of the skills to the assessment.
Additional Resources
Additional examples, research, and professional development. These resources are possible representations of this strategy, not endorsements.
Factors Supported by this Strategy
More Instructional Approaches Strategies
When adults can connect and communicate with authentic audiences about their interests and values, learning becomes more personally meaningful and relevant.
Opportunities for students to practice skills in context, with instructor support and also independently, helps to move concepts and ideas into Long-term Memory.
Intentionally incorporating voice and choice into adult learning experiences is critical for making learning meaningful and relevant.
Mindfulness is a practice to create internal balance and a sense of being present in the moment.
Instruction and training presented in multiple formats allows learners to activate different cognitive skills and Background Knowledge that are necessary to remember procedural and content information.
When instructors ask questions or have learners create questions before introducing a text, they activate interest, increase Motivation, and help them assess what they already know about a given topic.
Learning and studying information across multiple sessions that are spaced, or distributed in time, can promote learning and long-term retention of both basic and conceptually complex facts and concepts.