Course Design in Competency-Based Education: An Approach Based on ADDIE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17161/cberj.v2.23812Keywords:
Competency-Based Education (CBE), ADDIE Model, Instructional Design, Competency Mapping, Learning Outcomes, Workforce Readiness., Skills Mastery, Assessment Design, Self-Paced Learning, Industry-Aligned Education, Adaptive Learning, Curriculum Design, Educational Framework, Personalized Learning, Higher Education Innovation, Instructional Strategies, Performance-Based Assessment, Continuous Improvement, Modular Learning, Technology Integration in Education, Competency-Based Learning Models, Educational Technology in CBE, Scalable Education ModelsAbstract
Competency-Based Education (CBE) is transforming current teaching and learning through prioritizing skill mastery over traditional time-based instruction. This shift in teaching and learning attempts to ensure graduates are job-ready and aligned with industry demands. However, many institutions and instructors face challenges in designing effective CBE programs due to a lack of structured instructional design frameworks. This paper proposes the CBE-ADDIE Model, which integrates the well-established ADDIE framework with CBE principles. The newly developed model provides a more robust and systematic approach for competency mapping, assessment design, content development, implementation, and continuous evaluation. By adopting this model, instructional designers and educators can create high-quality, scalable, and industry-aligned CBE programs that enhance learner success and workforce readiness.
Downloads
References
Boyer, N., & Bucklew, K. (2019). Competency-based education and higher education enterprise systems. The Journal of Competency-Based Education, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/cbe2.1180
Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN). (2017). Quality framework for competency-based education programs. Author. https://www.cbenetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Quality-Framework-for-Competency-Based-Education-Programs-Updated.pdf
Fan, J.-Y., Wang, Y. H., Chao, L. F., Jane, S.-W., & Hsu, L.-L. (2015). Performance evaluation of nursing students following competency-based education. Nurse Education Today, 35(1), 97–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2014.07.002
Ford, R., & Meyer, R. (2015). Competency-based Education 101. Procedia Manufacturing, 3, 1473–1480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2015.07.325
Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. (2023). After everything: Projections of jobs, education, and training requirements through 2031. https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/projections2031/
Hoogveld, A., Paas, F., & Jochems, W. (2005). Training higher education teachers for instructional design of competency-based education: Product-oriented versus process-oriented worked examples. Teaching and Teacher Education, 21(3). 287–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2005.01.002
Irakliotis, L. & Johnstone, S. (2014). Competency-based education programs versus traditional data management. https://er.educause.edu/articles/2014/5/competencybased-education-programs-versus-traditional-data-management?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Lee, J. S., Blackwell, S., Drake, J., & Moran, K. A. (2014). Taking a leap of faith: Redefining teaching and learning in higher education through project-based learning. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-based Learning, 8(2), 19–34. doi:10.7771/1541-5015.1426
LinkedIn Economic Graph. (2023). Skills-first: Reimagining the labor market and breaking down barriers. https://economicgraph.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/economicgraph/en-us/PDF/skills-first-report-2023.pdf
Lurie, H., & Garrett, R. (2017). Deconstructing competency-based education: An assessment of institutional activity, goals, and challenges in higher education. The Journal of Competency-Based Education, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.1002/cbe2.1047
Mason, J., Parsons, K., & Cap, Q. N. (2020). State of the field: Findings from the 2020 National Survey of Postsecondary Competency-Based Educations. The American Institutes for Research. Retrieved from: https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2021-07/State-of-the-Field-Findings-from-2020-Postsecondary-CBE-Survey-July-2021.pdf
Nietzel, M. T. (2022, January 1). New report shows college degree continues to provide better employment prospects and higher income. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2022/06/01/new-report-shows-college-degree-continues-to-provide-better-employment-prospects-and-higher-income/?sh=6a401ba42358
Parsons, K., Mayer, K. M., Hatcher, M., Catron, K., & Young, M. (2023). Postsecondary competency-based education program model map: Framework. Washington, CD: American Institutes for Research. https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/CBE-Program-Model-Map-Framework.pdf
World Economic Forum. (2023). Putting skills first: A framework for action. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_CNES_Putting_Skills_First_2023.pdf
Zhang, J., & West, R. E. (2019). Designing microlearning instruction for professional development through a competency-based approach. TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning. A Publication of the Association for Educational Communications & Technology, 64(2), 310–318. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11528-019-00449-4
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Kevin Williams (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
