Competency Based Education
- Brinda Ramesh
Education System
NEP 2020
The NEP 2020 calls for a ‘shift from [an assessment system] that is summative and
primarily tests rote memorization skills to one that is more regular and formative,
is more competency-based, promotes learning development for our students, and
tests higher-order skills, such as analysis, critical thinking and conceptual clarity.
What is Competency-Based Education (CBE)?
Competency-based education (CBE) is an approach to teaching, learning, and
assessment that focuses on the student’s demonstration of learning outcomes
and attaining proficiency in particular competencies in each subject.
Teaching which uses a CBE methodology works to empower students and provide
them with a meaningful and positive learning experience. It places the learner at
the center and actively engages them in the learning process.
It emphasizes real-world applications of knowledge and skills and the
authenticity of the learning experience.
What are Competencies?
• Competency is a set of knowledge, attitudes and skills that helps
students to perform tasks individually.
Knowledge
Observable and
Competencies Attitudes measurable
performance
Skills
Transfer of knowledge in Real Life Situation
Why Competencies?
• Competencies are critical as they will need to successfully navigate
their personal journeys to lead a productive and joyful life.
• Competencies help students draw and build upon what they know,
how they think and what they can do.
Features of Effective CBE:
An effective CBE should be able to answer the following questions:
• What is it that the student should be able to do after he/she has undergone
the learning process?
Learning Outcome
• What is it that the student needs to learn /know in order to reach that LO?
Curriculum-based learning resources, not limited to textbooks
• What are the kinds of classroom transactions or activities which will become
the basis for this learning?
Experiential and Activity-based pedagogy
Features of Effective CBE:
An effective CBE should be able to answer the following questions:
• How will the teacher check the learning? or How will the student
demonstrate that learning?
Competency-Based Assessment
• How will a teacher gauge the level of proficiency of a student?
Criterion referenced testing
Features of Effective CBE:
An effective CBE should be able to answer the following questions:
• What is it that the student should be able to do after he/she has undergone
the learning process?
• What is it that the student needs to learn /know in order to reach that LO?
• What are the kinds of classroom transactions or activities which will become
the basis for this learning?
• How will the teacher check the learning? or How will the student
demonstrate that learning?
• How will a teacher gauge the level of proficiency of a student?
Key Features of Effective CBE:
Well defined Meaningful
Demonstration Creation of Teachers as Relevance to
Learning types of
of Mastery Knowledge Mentors Real-world
Outcomes Assessments
Competencies in Mathematics:
• Number sense
• Algebraic thinking
• Geometric thinking
• Data Analysis
• Problem solving
• Mathematical thinking
• Mathematical Modelling
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Mathematical reasoning
• Technological proficiency
• Collaboration
Critical components of CBE:
• Lucid Learning Outcomes or LOs with reference to the skills and
proficiencies
• Flexibility in time frame to acquire the skills
• Selection of innovative pedagogies to acquire the skills
• Availability of a range of engaging content
• Criterion referenced testing /assessment of LO
• Certification of level of proficiency in learning based on demonstrated LOs
Lesson planning for teaching:
Learning
objectives
Key Components
Learning Activities
of Lesson plan
Assessment to
check for
understanding
Lesson planning for teaching:
Before Class During Class After Class
• Identify learning • Deliver the • Reflect on what
objectives lesson as went well/what
• Plan specific planned can be
Learning improved
Activites,
Assessments,
Sequence of
lesson
• Create timeline
• Plan for closure
Teaching and Learning:
• Have a holding idea to welcome learners
Beginning of • Short warmer activity
• Share the learning objectives and lead in to the
the Lesson topic
Middle of the • Resources
• PPT/Picture/Video/Hands-on/Modelling
Lesson
End of the • Use collaborative ideas to summarize the lesson
Lesson
Why is it a great CBE lesson plan?
This lesson plan is a great competency-based lesson plan because it:
• Clearly identifies the specific competencies
• Aligns learning objectives with competencies
• Provides opportunities for students to apply their learning in real-
world contexts
• Includes formative assessments throughout the lesson plan
• Incorporates both individual and collaborative learning activities
• Uses criterion-referenced testing to measure student mastery of the
learning objectives
Checklist for a great CBE lesson plan:
• Identify the competencies and align the objectives to those competencies
• Provide variety of learning activities to develop the competencies based on the learner
needs
• Identify specific competencies and ensure that the assessment is aligned them
• Provide a scoring rubric that outlines how each objective will be assessed
• Use variety of assessment methods to measure student mastery of identified
competencies, such as performance tasks, portfolios, or oral presentations throughout the
lesson plan.
• Use criterion-referenced testing to measure student mastery of learning objectives
• Ask students to self-reflect and encourage them to identify areas for improvement and
develop a growth mindset
• Provide opportunities for students to apply their learning in real-world contexts,
developing problem-solving skills and transferability of knowledge
What does Competency-Based Education look
like?
Key features of CBE approach:
References and Resources:
https://cbseacademic.nic.in/cbe/index.html
http://schoolofeducators.com/2023/04/what-is-competency-based-education/
file:///C:/Users/USER/Downloads/SAS_CBLF_Math-Literacy_-Final.pdf
https://aurora-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/what-is-competency-based-edu
cation-an-updated-definition-web.pdf
https://cbseacademic.nic.in/cbe/documents/Lesson-Plan-Mathematics-Final.pdf
https://cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/term/10Math.pdf
https://www.britishcouncil.in/sites/default/files/cbse_assessment_framework_f
or_science_maths_and_english_of_classes_6-10.pdf
Thank you
