What Competency-based learning is...
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Revision as of 15:47, 15 April 2021 by Nils.zimmermann (talk | contribs) (→10 Reasons for Competency Based Democracy Learning)
Reasons for Competency Based Democracy Learning
We might conclude, that education and qualification needs to respond to that observation and cover the broad range of experience, attitudes, book-knowledge and skills that one has and needs for his or her active and autonomously shaped life.
Reasons for Competency Based Learning
- Considers all learners’ experience of diverse situations, roles and life phases as a relevant resource.
- Goes beyond knowledge-centred teaching to understand competence as knowledge and critical understanding, skills, attitudes, behaviours and values, and an understanding of how they interact.
- Takes the individual learner seriously and tailors the learning design to their needs.
- Strengthens individual ownership of their learning biography.
- Sees learning as a social and cooperative process – between classroom and real life, formal, non-formal and informal learning, and between sectors.
- Appreciates the diversity of perspectives and learning styles in a group as a potential (instead of trying to even these qualities). Is relevant, because it allows learners to apply their abilities in many different social roles and situations.
- Is flexible, because it understands learning as a process instead of forcing it into an overly linear curriculum.
...and 5 Problematic Practices
Beyond all missionary words we need to acknowledge, that competency based learning is not always easy to implement. It is often a disruptive element in the learning culture of a school, of an academy or an organization. Changes are never easy and dilemmas appear between old proven and new risky ways of educating and unclarity about how they might go together. For instance:
What Competency-centered Learning Should Not Be
- A new layer of bureaucracy: It's intended to give learners and teachers more freedom instead more rules or procedures. It requires flexible teachers/facilitators and more freedom for learners.
- Tailorist instead tailor-made learning: It's a humanist and holistic approach aiming to support autonomy, not usability. However, some promoters of competencies misunderstand competency-learning as emphasizing on skill training only.
- Optimization without development: Competency is not a self-optimization tool nor for assessing the fittest or increasing competitiveness. They are an instrument for individual and free personal development.
- Doing without thinking: Competence-centered learning involves knowledge, attitude and skills. But some understand that it is a practice-only approach. However, successful action is not possible without the ability of a learner to assess and reflect on activities and goals.
Articles
Also interesting:
Overview of different competence frameworks relevant to lifelong learning. Online
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DEFINITION:
"A competency is more than just knowledge and skills. It involves the ability to meet complex demands, by drawing on and mobilizing psychosocial resources (including skills and attitudes) in a particular context."
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