Competency Based Learning

Competency-based learning 

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 Characteristics 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.

Features

·       It focus on competencies.

·       It is task or performance oriented.

·       Its focus is on what the students can do with the language.

·       The focused competencies have to be applied well in situations.

·       Students know what behaviors and skills are expected of them.

·       Continuous assessment.

·       Performance based assessment.

·       Student – centered instruction.

·       Individual attention.

Activities

          The learning activities are systematically designed activities to achieve a certain competence. These are real-life activities. Accurate knowledge, thinking processes, attitudes, and skills related to the tasks are important. Eg. Job application, job interview, work schedule etc.

Role of the teacher

·        To be aware of the needs of the students.

·        To make pupils aware of the competences to be attained.

·        To direct the students regarding the tasks to be done.

·        To facilitate and ensure the students’ progress.

·        To evaluate pupils performance.

·        To provide constructive feedback to help learners improve skills.

Role of the learner

·        To become aware of the competencies they are going to deal with.

·        To ensure whether the competences stressed by the teacher are useful and relevant to them.

·        To ensure their active participation in the teaching learning process.

·        To be able to adapt and transfer knowledge from one setting to another.

Procedure of teaching

The teacher tests the students proficiency in the beginning.  He clarifies the competencies to be focused. Then the students are grouped on the basis of their proficiency level, learning capacity, needs etc. Tasks and required directions are given. Teacher evaluates the outcome of learning and gives constructive feedback.

Merits

·        It develops learners competencies.

·        It ensures students participation in the teaching learning process.

·        It makes continuous assessment.

·        It develops confidence in pupils.

Limitations

·        It is very difficult to develop lists of competencies for every specific situation.

·        It requires competent teachers.

·        It ignores the process of learning