The world of higher education continues to evolve, with innovative teaching and learning models emerging to meet today’s students’ diverse needs and preferences. Competency-based education (CBE) represents one such approach that is revolutionizing the way students learn. With its focus on flexibility, personalization, and enabling students to progress at their own pace, CBE is a perfect fit for our online liberal arts degree programs.
As an institution dedicated to offering affordable, high-quality education, our online liberal arts programs are designed to empower students to achieve their goals and aspirations. To that end, we have embraced CBE to deliver a learning experience that effectively addresses each student’s unique needs and requirements. Our innovative online liberal arts programs, including the Associate of Arts in General Studies and the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, utilize CBE to help students make steady progress toward degree completion, regardless of their individual learning pace.
In this blog post, we will explore the key concepts behind competency-based education and how we leverage this innovative approach within our online liberal arts degree programs. We’ll discuss the benefits of CBE for both students and educators, how CBE enables students to achieve degree completion quickly and efficiently, and how our flexible online platform supports this groundbreaking educational model.
Join us in this insightful journey as we demystify competency-based education and provide a comprehensive overview of how Newlane University employs this cutting-edge approach to help students unlock their full potential in the realm of liberal arts.
1. Key Concepts of Competency-Based Education (CBE)
Before diving into the benefits and implementation of CBE, let’s explore the underlying concepts that define this innovative educational model:
– Mastery-based learning: CBE focuses on students’ ability to demonstrate understanding and proficiency in specific skills or concepts rather than the amount of time spent in a course.
– Personalization: Curriculum and learning experiences are tailored to each student’s needs, interests, and goals, offering flexibility and customization.
– Prior learning assessment: CBE recognizes not only academic achievements but also relevant professional experience, ensuring that students receive credit for the skills they already possess.
2. Benefits of CBE for Students and Educators
CBE offers a wealth of benefits for both students and educators within the online liberal arts degree programs:
For Students:
– Learner-centered education: Students have control over the pace and progression of their learning, leading to higher levels of intrinsic motivation and engagement.
– Accelerated degree completion: By testing out of courses, students can save time and money, resulting in faster degree completion and a more efficient educational experience.
– Real-world relevance: CBE ensures that students graduate with a skill set that matches the needs of the job market, increasing their employability and career prospects.
For Educators:
– Enhanced assessment and feedback: CBE encourages continuous, meaningful feedback and evaluation, making it easier for educators to identify areas where students need additional support or resources.
– Increased student retention: The personalized and relevant nature of CBE promotes higher levels of satisfaction and retention among students, resulting in a more effective teaching and learning environment.
3. Fast-Tracking Degree Completion with CBE
Our online liberal arts programs capitalize on the CBE model’s ability to accelerate degree completion. This is achieved through the following strategies:
– Testing out of courses: Students can demonstrate their competency in a subject area and bypass courses they already have a strong foundation in, saving time and money.
– Prior learning assessment: By granting credits for relevant professional experience, students can build upon their existing skillset, further shortening their path to degree completion.
4. Supporting CBE with Newlane University’s Flexible Online Platform
To effectively implement CBE within our online liberal arts degree programs, we have designed a flexible and intuitive online platform that offers the following features:
– 24/7 access to course materials: Students can access their course content, assignments, and assessments at any time, ensuring they can work at their own pace and on their own schedule.
– Customizable learning plans: Our platform enables students to create personalized learning paths that align with their specific goals and interests.
– Robust support systems: From academic advisors and support staff to faculty and peer communities, our online platform provides numerous avenues for students to receive guidance and assistance throughout their educational journey.
Conclusion
Competency-based education has the potential to be a game-changer within the world of online liberal arts degree programs. At Newlane University, we are dedicated to harnessing the power of CBE to create a truly personalized, flexible, and efficient learning experience for our students. Through our innovative online programs, we are not only making liberal arts education more accessible and affordable but also ensuring that our graduates possess the diverse skillset needed to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.
Are you ready to unlock the numerous benefits of competency-based education within the realm of online liberal arts? Enroll with Newlane University today and experience our cutting-edge Associate of Arts in General Studies or Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy programs, which are tailored to help you succeed in your journey toward academic excellence and professional growth.
