2 Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) and TLCs
2 Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) and TLCs
By Geoffrey Nyachiro, Kisii National Polytechnic
WHAT IS CBET?
CBET stands for Competency-Based Education and Training. In Kenya, CBET is adopted by tertiary institutions and more specifically by Technical and Vocational Education and Training [TVET] institutions.
CBET may be defined in various ways. First of all, it can be defined as training based on the participant’s ability to demonstrate mastery of skills performed under certain conditions, to specific standards which he or she must acquire before moving to the next phase of learning or life. Another definition is tied to employment. Hence, CBET can be defined as an education and training that focus on the attainment of standards in which case trainees, based on their unique abilities, master the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes that are matched against the needs of employers.
Third, CBET can be looked at as a personalized learning experience for each individual student, whether in a group or not, in which the student moves at his/her own pace at the end of which he/she ought to demonstrate full mastery of skill against set standards before they can move forward. This way, the goal of equity is achieved: students move forward at their own pace, but everyone in the class achieves mastery. Thus CBET gives a clear focus on preparing students for the next stage of their life, whether it be college or a career.
Finally, CBETis an approach to vocational education and training in which skills, knowledge, and attitudes are specified in order to define, steer and help to achieve competence standards, mostly within a kind of national qualifications framework. (Source: Deißinger & Hellwig 2011)
CHARACTERISTICS OF CBET
- Learner-centered: Encouraging the autonomy of individuals, i.e. the progress of the trainee during the training goes at the pace of each individual.
- The trainer is an enabler: Transforming the role of the trainers towards facilitating and problem solving instead of monopolizing learning.
- Predetermined competencies: The competencies are carefully identified beforehand, verified, and in the public domain (of public knowledge).
- Modular: Instruction is aimed at the development of each competency.
- Based on POE [Portfolio of Evidence]: The assessment and evaluation take into account knowledge, skills, attitudes, and performance, as the main sources of evidence.
- Individualized/personalized training at the core: Instruction is individualized as much as possible.
- Outcome-based: Emphasis is placed on the results that guide and drive the training.
- Trainee-trainer feedback: The learning experiences are guided by continuous feedback.
- Subject-matter/content mastery: CBET focuses on how competent the trainee is in the subject matter, trainee moves forward upon exhibiting mastery, personalizing the learning experience, and preparing the trainee for the next stage of their life.
PRINCIPLES OF COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING
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