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What are the Benefits of Competency-Based Education (CBE)?
What are the Benefits of Competency-Based Education (CBE)?
CBE courses and programs allow students to learn in a more flexible way.
CBE courses and programs allow students to learn in a more flexible way.
Flex-Paced, Self-Directed Learning: The flexible course model allows you to access course materials and activities based on your schedule and learning preferences.
Allows for Emergencies Without Penalty: The CBE model also means that if you have an emergency (sickness, accident, etc.) or a busy time at work that prevents you temporarily from doing any schoolwork, you are not penalized for missing assignments as long as you work hard to catch up and complete the course by the semester end. In this case, always communicate with your Success Coach and Instructor. Many students make an effort to get ahead in the course right away so that when an emergency comes up, they will not fall behind at all.
Consistent Courses and Assessments: When you complete a CBE course, you can be confident you have demonstrated mastery of the same course competencies as all other students in the course. Students have a consistent experience and achieve mastery of the same competencies no matter when they take the course or what instructor they have.
Workplace Readiness: In competency-based courses, students engage in real-world learning experiences to demonstrate competence in areas immediately needed in the workplace.
Recognition of Prior Learning: CBE recognizes and rewards you for the knowledge you bring into your courses because learning is measured based on demonstration of competency and not time (seat-time). If you already know the material, you can accelerate through the content and complete the course quicker.
I really enjoyed the CBE format, it allowed me to work at my own pace on my own time. I have been working in Finance for many years, so there was an overlap of information. I was able to move quickly through the material I knew, and I was able to spend more time on what I didn’t know. The CBE format fit perfectly into my busy schedule. I would recommend CBE for anyone needing flexibility in finishing their education!
Terra Adelmund
How Does Competency-Based Education Work?
How Does Competency-Based Education Work?
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is an innovative NEW learning model at NICC that puts students at the center of the learning process. The CBE format allows the College to separate “time in seat” from academic proficiency. If you already know a concept from previous life experience or prior learning, you have the option to work ahead and demonstrate that you know your stuff without having to wait for the rest of the class to catch up. Put simply, students are able to show what they know, when they know it.
This model can be more student-focused because it is based on two key components: learning for competency and flexible-pacing. CBE focuses on helping you achieve competence or mastery of the skills and knowledge covered in courses while allowing you the flexibility to move more quickly or slowly through the courses within a semester.
In the CBE courses, modular content will open based on your completion of content items and/or mastery of unit learning outcomes.
What Makes CBE Courses Different?
What Makes CBE Courses Different?
LEARNING FOR COMPETENCY
LEARNING FOR COMPETENCY
In a CBE course, you work to learn a competency until you fully understand it, rather than turn something in, accept the grade, and move on. Practice and remediation are normal parts of a CBE course. If you don’t earn competency on something the first time, it simply means you have found an opportunity to deepen your learning. Your instructor will provide you with personalized guidance about what to study and on what to remediate.
Because you are learning for competency and working to fully understand concepts and master skills rather than accept a grade, you need to get at least 80% on the combined grades of the assignments and assessments to pass each module and course overall. Every course will clearly lay out the requirements of the CBE course in the Course Pacing Plan located in the Getting Started module.
Some students worry about whether or not they can earn at least a B. Do not worry! One of the best things about CBE is that we assume that every student can earn a B in the class. If you don't earn a grade percentage of 80% (B) on your first attempt at the module, your instructor will provide you with personalized feedback and coaching to help you get there.
For many students, the ability to remediate is one of the best parts of CBE because it helps to ensure that they fully understand the material before moving on to another topic. Communication with your instructor and success coach during the course is key in helping you succeed.
FLEXIBLE PACING
FLEXIBLE PACING
Flexible pacing means that you can set your own timeline for completing the course as long as you are done before the end of the term.
Each class will have a Course Pacing Plan that shows the assignments for the course along with the instructor’s recommended due dates. As one of the first assignments in the course, you will set your own deadlines for each assignment. This is a great opportunity to personalize your experience and plan for upcoming vacations, busy work or family schedules and to create a schedule that allows you to finish the course early if you’d like to do so.
Success coaches will help you review overall course goals and establish a timeline based on your comfort level with the course concepts. Just be sure to communicate your pacing goals with your instructor to help you stay on track.
COURSE PACING
COURSE PACING
You must at least set a pace that allows you to complete your course(s) by the end of the course term. You are encouraged to set an accelerated pace, but must at least meet the default pacing requirements below:
To establish attendance, you must complete submit your Course Pacing Plan and complete your Personal Student Introduction (also located in the Getting Started module) within the first 7 days of your CBE course.
You must regularly make progress in your course(s), specifically:
No more than 1 module may be submitted the last two weeks of class.
In courses where multiple final exam attempts are allowed, the first attempt must be submitted by Tuesday of the last week of class.
You may not submit coursework after the final submission date as identified by your instructor.
COURSE PROGRESS
COURSE PROGRESS
Competency-based courses are intended to be a flexible option for students. They allow you to slow down when needed and speed up where possible, based on your ability to master course content.
There are no official assignment due dates (only recommended due dates) in the courses. However, course progress policies are enforced to preserve the program's effectiveness while maintaining compliance with attendance and financial aid policies. Students receiving financial aid must show Satisfactory Academic Progress if they are receiving financial aid. Consult the Financial Aid Office if you have any questions.
As a CBE student, you will work closely with a personal success coach that will help you stay on track in your courses and address your needs. You will schedule check-ins with your success coach in which you will discuss how class is going, your plan for the upcoming week and if you have any questions or concerns. Your success coach is here to support you and help you succeed in your CBE courses.
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