What is Competency-Based Education?
Competency-Based Education is an educational approach that focuses on the mastery of specific skills and knowledge rather than the amount of time spent in a classroom. This model allows students to progress at their own pace and advance once they have demonstrated proficiency in a particular subject or skill.
Competency-Based Education is often personalized to meet the individual needs of students, allowing them to move through the curriculum at a pace that is comfortable for them. This approach shifts the focus from seat time to mastery of content, ensuring that students are truly prepared for the next level of learning.
Key Principles of Competency-Based Education
– Mastery Learning: Students must demonstrate mastery of a skill or concept before moving on to the next level of learning.
– Personalized Learning: Each student progresses through the curriculum at their own pace, allowing for individualized instruction and support.
– Flexible Learning Pathways: Students have the flexibility to choose how they learn and demonstrate their knowledge, whether through projects, assessments, or other means.
– Continuous Feedback: Students receive ongoing feedback on their progress, allowing them to make adjustments and improvements as needed.
Benefits of Competency-Based Education
– Increased Student Engagement: Competency-Based Education allows students to take ownership of their learning, leading to higher levels of engagement and motivation.
– Improved Mastery of Skills: By focusing on mastery rather than seat time, students are better able to demonstrate proficiency in key skills and concepts.
– Personalized Learning: Competency-Based Education allows for personalized instruction and support, ensuring that each student’s individual needs are met.
– Preparation for the Future: Competency-Based Education prepares students for success in the 21st century workforce by emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Implementing Competency-Based Education in the Art Classroom
In the art classroom, Competency-Based Education can be implemented by setting clear learning objectives and allowing students to progress at their own pace. Teachers can provide students with a variety of projects and assessments that allow them to demonstrate their mastery of key artistic skills and concepts.
One way to implement Competency-Based Education in the art classroom is to create a portfolio-based assessment system. Students can compile a portfolio of their work throughout the semester, demonstrating their growth and mastery of key artistic skills. This allows for ongoing feedback and assessment, ensuring that students are truly mastering the content.
Challenges of Competency-Based Education in Art Education
One of the challenges of implementing Competency-Based Education in art education is the need for clear and specific learning objectives. Teachers must clearly define the skills and concepts that students are expected to master, as well as the criteria for demonstrating proficiency.
Another challenge is the need for ongoing assessment and feedback. Teachers must provide students with regular feedback on their progress, allowing them to make adjustments and improvements as needed. This can be time-consuming and require a significant investment of resources.
Examples of Competency-Based Education in Art Programs
– The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) has implemented a Competency-Based Education model in its undergraduate programs, allowing students to progress at their own pace and demonstrate mastery of key artistic skills.
– The Art Institute of Chicago offers Competency-Based Education programs in a variety of artistic disciplines, allowing students to customize their learning experience and focus on the skills that are most important to them.
– The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has developed a Competency-Based Education model that emphasizes project-based learning and real-world application of artistic skills. Students work on a series of projects throughout the semester, demonstrating their mastery of key concepts and skills.