Three Myths About Competency-Based Education
Megan Adams, Managing Director, Research
Based on lessons learned from early movers in CBE, this publication helps members separate the hype about CBE from the costs and the risks of launching a new program.
To help members make informed decisions about CBE launch—as well as educate campus stakeholders on the challenges inherent to the CBE business model—we provide an in-depth analysis of the three predominant myths about CBE.
Download the complete report or explore the highlights below to break down popular perceptions about competency-based education.
Defining competency-based education
While there are many definitions and models of CBE across the higher education landscape, the predominant definition in the field for full-fledged CBE programs is that they are characterized by two elements:
1. Credit for competencies, not seat time
CBE programs award academic credit based on mastery of clearly defined competencies, rather than on “seat time.” In traditional education, time is fixed and mastery is variable. In CBE, mastery is fixed and time is variable.
2. Technology-enabled personalization
In CBE programs, technology affords each student a distinct pathway through content based on what they know/don’t know and where they need most support—“personalization at scale.” There are two main types of personalization in CBE programs: personalized pacing and personalized content.
Learn More About the Definition of Competency-Based Education
Myth 1: Students and employers are demanding CBE
In reality, students are not searching for CBE and few know what it means. Employers’ interest in CBE is no different than their engagement with traditional programs.
Myth 2: CBE is faster and lower-cost for students
Most students progress at an average pace in CBE and end up paying tuition similar to traditional programs.
Myth 3: CBE is lower-cost for instutitons
An immature vendor market and the cost of supporting self-paced learning make CBE programs more expensive to launch and to run than traditional programs.
The CBE and PLA Playbook provides step-by-step guidance to determine whether launching a CBE program is the right fit for their institutions, tools to mitigate the costs and risks of launch, and resources to support continuous improvement in student screening and support.
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