FIVE THINGSYou Should Know AboutCompetency-Based Education
Kari KovarVP, Strategic Partnerships
Tom CaswellDirector, Instructional Design
DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. What is Competency-Based Education?
2. Who is doing it?
3. What are the considerations and benefits?
4. How does it work?
5. How do I get started?
WHAT IS COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION?
1. Customization• Individualized pathways and support for learners• Learning materials are adapted to student needs
2. Results-driven approach• Emphasizes mastery and de-emphasizes time• Performance data informs students and mentors
3. Student-centered experience• Accounts for prior knowledge and experience• Students do not learn at the same pace
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS FORCOMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION
OTHER OPTIONS: GATED PATHWAYS
LEARNING IS THE NEW CONSTANT
Time varies.
Every student can succeed!
PA
SS
A PARADIGM SHIFT
KEY ROLES WITHIN CBE
ROLE OF FACULTY
• Team-oriented delivery model • Content experts• Clarify content with students• Feedback• Evaluation
ROLE OF COACHES
• Establish rapport• Motivate students• Create and monitor study plans• Follow up with 1:1 weekly meetings
ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
• Delivers engaging instructional content• Allows for gating• Tracks engagement• Provides formative feedback to students• Shares student progress with faculty
and coaches• Suggests interventions• Allows for badges,
rewards, etc.
WHO IS DOING IT?
• Modalities• Blended learning Fully online
• Credit and Title IV• Direct assessment Credit-hour conversion
• Enrollment• Rolling Fixed (subscription)
• Role of faculty• Separate coaching/mentoring/grading Traditional faculty
• Recruitment strategy• B2B Direct-to-students
A WIDE SPECTRUM OF COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION
WHO IS SHAPING THE CONVERSATION?
• Foundations• Lumina Foundation (www.luminafoundation.org)
• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (www.gatesfoundation.org)
• Associations• UPCEA (www.upcea.edu)
• EDUCAUSE (www.educause.edu)
• CAEL (Council for Adult & Experiential Learning) (www.cael.org)
• Thought/Policy leaders• Amy Laitinen (www.newamerica.net/user/477)
• Paul LeBlanc (www.snhu.edu/218.asp) or @snhuprez
• Sally Johnstone (www.wgu.edu)
• Mike Offerman (www.theother85percent.com)
GROUP ACTIVITY
GROUP ACTIVITY
Prepare to share the following with the group:
1. Which accrediting body?
2. Who is the target audience?
3. What programs are they offering?
4. What are the top 3 features of their CBE programs?
5. What marketing are they doing to promote the programs?
Which accrediting body?
HLC and North Central Association (NCA)
Who is the target audience?
Self-directed, motivated students
What programs are they offering?
BS and MS in Business, IT, and Psychology
What are the top 3 features of their CBE programs?
Leverage prior knowledge, self-paced, use own study materials
What marketing are they doing to promote the programs?
Twitter, Facebook, Pintrest, YouTube, and LinkedIn
CAPELLA UNIVERSITY
Which accrediting body?
HLC and North Central Association (NCA)
Who is the target audience?
Adults and non-traditional
What programs are they offering?
AAS, RN to BSN, BS in IT and Business
What are the top 3 features of their CBE programs?
Credit for prior knowledge, self-paced, personalized support
What marketing are they doing to promote the programs?
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Google+
UNIV OF WISCONSIN
Which accrediting body?
HLC and North Central Association
Who is the target audience?
Working adults
What programs are they offering?
IT, Liberal Arts, Small Business Administration
What are the top 3 features of their CBE programs?
Access classes 24/7, credit for prior knowledge, save money
What marketing are they doing to promote the programs?
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn
NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITY
SNHU—COLLEGE FOR AMERICA
Which accrediting body?
New England Association of Schools and Colleges
Who is the target audience?
Working adults through select employer partners
What programs are they offering?
Communications, Healthcare Management
What are the top 3 features of their CBE programs?
$10K degree, partner with employers, flexible pace
What marketing are they doing to promote the programs?
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, TV/print ads, info webinars
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY
Which accrediting body?
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
Who is the target audience?
Adult learners with previous credit
What programs are they offering?
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What are the top 3 features of their CBE programs?
Best value, flexible study times, great mentoring support
What marketing are they doing to promote the programs?
Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, YouTube, TV/print ads
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND CONSIDERATIONS?
BENEFITS
Student
• Self-paced
• Accelerate when ready
• Take more time when needed
• Leverage prior knowledge
• Progress once they achieve mastery
Institution
• Increase student success
• Lower cost (at scale)
• Serve new student populations
• Continual improvement
CONSIDERATIONS
Student
• Can spend too much time if uncertain or enjoyable
• Can feel isolated from other students
Institution
• Accreditation
• Faculty concerns
• Compatibility between CBE and non-CBE credits
• Title IV, Financial Aid
HOW DOES IT WORK?
THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
MOVING TO COMPETENCY-BASED
ORIGINAL COURSE COMPETENCY-BASED
Course Outcomes
Competencies & Objectives
Weeks Modules
Homework Practice
Test Mastery Assessment
MASTERY CYCLE
MASTERY CYCLE
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Objective 1
Objective 2
Objective 3
Competency A
Competency B
Competency C
VISUALIZING THE MASTERY CYCLE
START OF COURSE: TAKE PRE-ASSESSMENT
Competency B
Competency A
Competency C
Competency D Competency E
PRE-ASSESSMENT: SUGGESTS STUDY PLAN
Competency C
Competency D
Competency E
Competency A
Competency B
PRACTICE PHASE: COMPETENCY C
Competency C
Competency D
Competency E
Competency A
Competency B
AFTER COMPETENCY C: FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Competency C
Competency D
Competency E
Competency A
Competency B
REPEAT UNTIL ALL MASTERED
Competency C
Competency D
Competency E
Competency A
Competency B
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
1. Institutional readiness
2. CBE model definition and selection
3. Programs and curriculum
4. Title IV
5. Service model
6. Policy
7. Technology
8. Regulatory
INSTITUTIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM & COURSE CONSIDERATIONS
1. Identify the abilities needed of graduates
2. Explicitly define the required competencies and their components
3. Design an outcomes evaluation of the program
4. Define milestones along a development path for the competencies
5. Select educational activities, experiences, and instructional methods
6. Select assessment tools to measure progress along the milestones
QUESTIONS?Tom [email protected]
Kari [email protected]
Learn more at www.helixeducation.com/cbe-resourcesJoin the conversation @HelixEducation