5 Components of CBE

Video Transcription

Hi, my name is Ashley, and today's lesson is titled "Five Components of CBE." In today's lesson, we will define CBE and take an in-depth walkthrough of the five design principles of CBE.

Terms you will often hear throughout this video presentation are competency, differentiated, proficiency-based, and mastery. Competency-based education, also known as CBE, consists of five design principles. We'll take a look at these principles briefly, and go into more detail in a few minutes.

First, students advance upon demonstrating mastery. Direct and measurable learning objectives are standard. Assessments are meaningful and positive for students. Students receive rapid, differentiated support, and learning outcomes demonstrate the application of what was learned.

Competency-based education may be referred to as proficiency-based, performance-based, standards-based, or mastery-based education. Students in the CBE classroom receive personalized education at his or her level, and appropriate interventions and support are given as needed.

Principle 1 states that students advance upon demonstrating mastery. Their age is not an issue here. But whether they actually understand the information determines whether they advance. If they don't know the information, they must not move on.

Teachers facilitate proficiency. We want our students to have a full grasp of the information before moving on. Students work at their own difficulty level and have the flexibility to work and move at their own pace. Students are evaluated on their performance.

Design principle 2 states that direct and measurable learning objectives empower students. In a CBE learning environment, students understand the objectives and how they will be measured. The teacher acts as a facilitator by guiding students through the learning process. The objectives are well-defined, students know exactly what they need to know as a result of the lesson, and learning occurs in and outside of the classroom, making use of all the resources in order to make learning meaningful.

Design principle 3, assessments are meaningful and create a positive learning experience for students. Formative assessments play a major role in the CBE learning experience. The focus is on learning, and not grades. Formative assessments are a gauge of how students are progressing.

Students receive immediate feedback, and students are responsible of their learning, and monitor their progress, and make adjustments when needed. Teachers collaborate with one another to find assessments best for their students' needs. Multiple types of assessment formats are used to provide options for students, and different ways for students to demonstrate their learning. So much of assessments are adaptive and can be changed based on student need.

Design principle 4 says students receive rapid, differentiated support. CBE mandates the use of differentiation and personalization alongside of adaptive technologies. This ensures that students learn in a flexible environment where they are able to pace themselves. Interventions are provided to give assistance and support students when needed. The use of adaptive technology supports students as well.

Lastly, design principle 5, learning outcomes emphasized application and creation of knowledge. Competency-based education requires application of learning in real world settings. Also remember that CBE emphasizes the mastery of learning objectives, and we want students to be able to apply their skills and knowledge.

Competencies include academic standards and skills. Rubrics are used so students know what to do in order to make progress. Student work exemplars can also be used, similar to rubrics, so students know what the expected outcome should look like. 21st century skills are essential to apply what they have learned. Students also have the ability to transfer their learning to other areas outside of the classroom.

In this lesson, we reviewed what competency-based education is and its design principles. CBE focuses on the advancement through demonstration of mastery. Learning objectives are direct and measurable. Assessments are meaningful and positive. Students receive frequent differentiated support, and students are able to show their learning through application and creation of knowledge.

As we bring the lesson to a close, think about how your students will benefit from the implementation of CBE. To dive a little deeper and learn how to apply this information, be sure to check out the additional resources section associated with this video. This is where you'll find links targeted toward helping you discover more ways to apply this course material.