COMPETENCE BASED LEARNING

Abstract

Society requires skilled people and therefore education plays a key role in society. The content of education depends on the demand of society. First of all, the national government defines the requirements for education and the national government is responsible for monitoring the system to assess if schools and universities meet the demands and requirements. Secondly, Higher (tertiary) education will have preliminary requirements to enrol students of secondary education. Finally, the labour market has its wishes for all levels of vocational or professional education: it needs competent employees for all levels. Because of the worldwide dynamic development, education should continuously consider the content and methodology of its courses. Teachers become entrepreneurs and mediators in information and achievement of competencies. The learner is the centre of the teaching and coaching activities. Stoas Professional University developed a new and unique approach based on the Stoas tradition of learner centred education, integration of Practice &Theory and the integration of ‘head’, ‘heart’ and ‘hands’. The new approach is called ‘Competence Based Learning. Last year we did a project at your University about project-approached learning. A step forwards to competence based learning. Using practical experience for students to create a challenging study situation. Both developments are interesting to mention. That is the content of my lecture.