Introduction to “Analyze the difference between standards, outcomes, and competencies in relation to

Video Transcription

Hello, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to our lesson unit on analyzing the differences between standards, outcomes, competences in relation to curriculum. I am so glad that you're going to be joining me for this unit as we work our way through some of these really interesting ideas. As you will notice as you work your way through, all of my tutorials begin with a quote. Because I think literature is wonderful, and I think people are brilliant. And I like to bring quotes into my life, because I find them so applicable.

So just as I begin most of the other tutorials with a quote, we'll begin this one with a quote, too, by William Throsby Bridges, which states "genuine beginnings begin within us, even when they are brought to our attention by external opportunities." And that's exactly what's happening right now. I'm the external opportunity bringing you this information, but really the beginning is with you and how you are going to be able to apply all of this newfound knowledge into what you do in your classrooms.

Now, by the end of this unit, you will be able to define standards, including Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, outcomes, and competencies. You'll be able to really evaluate the connection between standards, outcomes, competencies, and skills. You'll be able to develop a learning outcome and map it to the standards or competencies that are being measured or targeted within your specific area. And finally, you'll really get to reflect on how competency-based, or what's sometimes referred to as proficiency-based education, really requires students to reach pre-established levels of skills and understanding within the curriculum area while still allowing them to move at their own pace.

Now I would like to go ahead and take you through just a few in-depth examples of some of the things that we'll be looking at within each of these objectives and sort of explain the different ways in which you'll be able to apply that to what you do both in the classroom and out of the classroom. So the first objective that is covered in this unit is the define standards, including Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards, outcomes, and competencies. Within this area, there is a huge focus on really looking in at the various content standards and honing in on what each content standard looks like, where to find them, the way in which that you can really focus in on the official standards for each area that you might be working in.

There is also an emphasis placed on defining what different instructional components look like, things like lessons, units, curriculum maps, outcomes, competencies, focusing in on the definitions of those for the purposes of this lesson and this overarching tutorial. Because many people define the same ideas just with different language. Also, there is a huge emphasis on how each of these elements are different from each other, but also the way in which they are important.

When it comes to the content standards and developing objectives and outcomes, there is definite, clear connections to what you do inside the classroom every day. Continuing to be able to root your teaching in the standards is so important. But even if you look outside of the classroom, the ability to say, here is where I need to end up, and here are all of the little steps that I will create to make sure that I get there when I need to and that I will know I'm there, is really important. You can use that in almost any area of your life.

The second objective is the ability to evaluate the connection between standards, outcomes, competencies, and skills. So not just what they are, but how are they all connected? This area focused in on defining the elements. So really looking at, what is a standard? What is a skill? What is an objective? What is an outcome? What's a competency? Do I know what all of these words mean and how they work together?

Then, focusing in on some of the overlap that exists there. So we have content and we have skills. But when we put them together, that's when we get those units of measure for objectives, outcomes, and competencies.

Finally there are tons of examples for what this can look like across content areas. So it's really important that you as students have that empowered sense so that you can take this and go back to the work you're doing in your classroom and say, you know what, these are big words and big ideas. And they can be a little scary. I know they were for me when I first encountered them. But I feel like I know how to combine subject standards with technology standards and create them into those student-centered I-can statements and elements so that we can put all of this into play. This is not only helpful within the classroom, but also for those who are interested in working on different administrative teams. Having a broad idea of how all of this can play together is really beneficial when working within your department or even between departments for planning purposes.

The next objective is develop a learning outcome and map it to the standards and competencies being measured or targeted. So again, this is really focusing on how all of these elements play out and looking at what it looks like in practice. So within this, we look at iNacol's five design principles for competency-based education, focusing in on some of the theories and the ideas and the goals behind developing all of these outcomes and connecting everything together.

Then there is an emphasis on very specifically the process for writing targets, writing outcomes, writing competencies and some bad examples and some good examples so you feel like you've really got a good idea of what there is to know and not know. Finally, scaffolding the standards. How can we take these large standards, these big overarching elements, and really break them down so that they are easily digestible over the course of the year?

The last learning objective is to reflect on how competency-based education requires students to reach skills and understanding while allowing them to move at their own pace. This is all about reflection, looking back at those central questions of Dufour's work and saying, what am I doing in my classroom? Do I have all of the answers for what I need those students to know and my ability to measure it? Really, then, looking at how those essential questions work with the design elements for competency-based education and the questions we should be asking ourselves as we develop those lesson plans.

And finally, reflecting on all of those questions. So how am I doing at asking myself those questions? Am I giving myself time to ask those questions as I develop these various units and lesson plans? This is totally applicable with inside your classroom. And they are very universal, so no matter what area you teach, there is an element here for you.

So one last time before we leave, I want to take you back through those four major standards and show you how we really build upon each of them in order to tie everything together. So first and foremost, you're looking at defining standards, outcomes, and competencies. Do I know what all of these words and theories mean? Then you evaluate the connection between all of those elements.

Once that's done, you're able to look at how you can really develop learning outcomes and maps, taking it from the theory and really putting it into practice, mapping all of that to the standards and competencies that you want to measure and target in your classroom. And then finally, once we've made it very real-world, taking that time for reflecting on how competency-based education, new to you as it may be, really helps students reach those skills and understandings while moving at their own pace-- something that is so beneficial to all students.

That's all we have. Welcome-- I cannot wait to begin this learning process with you.