Competency-based Learning vs. Traditional System of Education

From the teacher being an instructor to one of a facilitator, the way education is been instructed has traveled a long way. Unlike the old days, when everyone used to force the students to learn in a particular way or choose a definite career path, today they are motivated to do what their passion and interests allow to. This way, traditional learning eventually and gradually is taking a back seat in the education arena and competency-based learning is coming into the picture and getting more recognition in the education world. To illustrate the difference between Competency-based Learning and Traditional System of Education, here we have compiled some points.

1. The most important characteristic of competency-based learning is that it measures learning rather than time. Its strengths lie in its flexibility. A student gets the option of self-paced learning and is not pressurized to compete at the same speed as other learners in the same standard. Whereas in the traditional system of education, students are supposed to be present in the classroom for a fixed period of time and are provided common learning materials.

2. In competency-based learning, students are expected to master competencies aligned to college and career-ready standards with clear, transferable learning objectives and on the other side, in the traditional system of education, students are required to master grade level college and career-ready standards.

3. Where competency-based learning lets educators work collaboratively with community partners and students to develop flexible learning environments, grouping strategies, and extended opportunities to support a unique learning plan for every student, in the traditional system of education, every classroom consists of one teacher who is accountable for designing and delivering an instructional program.

4. Breaking the glass ceiling, in competency-based learning, diverse partners create individual learning pathways to accommodate student interests and learning styles and learning happens at school, online, and in the community. On the flipside, in the traditional system of education, instruction happens inside a traditional classroom with little to no accommodation of student interests or learning styles.

5. The most attracting part of competency-based learning is its evaluation system, which is been embedded throughout the student's learning cycle, where the learners are given multiple chances to show their mastery. In the traditional system of education, whereas, assessments occur at set times to evaluate and classify students, with less or no second chance for the learners to demonstrate their abilities.

6. Competency-based learning tailors learning experiences to each student's strengths, needs, and interests. Students have voice and choice in what, how, when, and where they learn, contrast to the traditional system of education where students' capabilities and voice merely have any role to play while deciding the curriculum.

7. A relatively new concept though, Competency-based learning compared to the traditional system of education is receiving much appreciation and recognition in the education for providing the learner a real opportunity to earn a college degree while balancing commitments to work and family and so on. However, this innovative model of learning is not for everyone. A student needs to be extremely self-directed and motivated to succeed as there are no set classes, and the pace of your learning is entirely up to the learner.