Competency-Based Learning: What’s in It for You?

CBL is not just a trend—it’s a proven approach rooted in research.

Emerging from behaviourism and systems theory, CBL gained traction in higher education in the 1960s, notably through the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (Nodine, T., 2016). By the late 90s, medical education globally embraced competency frameworks, revolutionizing training methods. Today, CBL is widely adopted in both adult learning and K-12 education, offering a structured yet flexible approach that mirrors real-world skill development.

The Benefits of CBL

CBL benefits learners, organizations, and learning designers alike:

• Personalized approach – Adapts to each learner’s pace and needs (Amzil, I., Aammou, S., & Zakaria, T., 2023).
• Evidence-based learning – Ensures learning is rooted in research and real-world application.
• SMART learning objectives – Sets explicit, transparent, and measurable learning objectives.
• Authentic assessments – Evaluates performance based on assessment practices that offer multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery rather than a one-time pass/fail approach (Alt, D., Naamati-Schneider, L., & Weishut, D. J., 2023).
• Institutional and organizational alignment – Aligns training goals with workforce needs.
• Efficiency in learning design – Enhances impact by focusing on relevant, high-priority skills.