Empowering Metacognitive Learning in a Competency-Based Curriculum Through Comprehensive Learner Record

Abstract

Health professions education is in the midst of a radical transformation from traditional lecture-based teaching to competency-based learning. This requires an equally radical transformation in the way we assess student learning and achievement of competencies. Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) addresses this need, enabling metacognitive learning and reflection of student development of competencies as they progress through a curriculum. CLR helps students make sense of their various learning activities, and share their educational journey with future employers highlighting artifacts and achievements in personally curated portfolios. CLR helps students synthesize learning, guides supplemental supports, and empowers program-level assessment to guide curricular improvements. Reflection and feedback at milestones provide a formative assessment to support progression. As nursing and other health professions schools transition towards competency-based learning, CLR provides an essential mechanism to communicate the achievement of core competencies, as students progress and develop readiness for practice.