Competency-based Learning

Research shows, and of course teachers know, that separating the content of school subjects and focusing on strictly sharing information is not an effective way of teaching. Competencies are the skills, knowledge, attitudes and values to work through any situation. Teaching to develop competencies works better with how students’ brains actually work. Connecting learning across subjects better reflects life outside school. It also promotes building and applying competencies from one area to another. 

Challenging learning experiences involve teachers, students, and a host of other possible participants. They develop by following student's natural curiosity and making connections with other learning experiences and experiences and learning students previously did. Students will be more engaged and excited about participating in learning if the environment is free from fear. Trial and error is essential to learning and creating knowledge. When students and teachers work together to think about the questions they are interested in answering, inquiry-based learning is interesting and effective. Quality inquiries engage and motivate learners when they are relevant to their lives, interests, and goals.