Competency-Based Education: 3 Apps To Improve CBE Programs

Competency-based education could be comparable to taking an online course, where students are afforded the freedom to earn college credits at their own pace and schedule. Under CBE programs, students could earn their bachelor's degree in a shorter time frame and for less cost, as classes are personalized and adapted based on the person's mastery of the skills.

Competency-based education is facilitated using learning modules, which students must pass or skip depending on assessments and tests. Colleges and universities -- whether private or public owned -- have started adopting this system in recent years, and at least 600 institutions are expected to come up with their CBE programs this year, up from 52 in 2015, per Inside Higher Ed.

With technology aiding in setting up CBE programs, colleges could soon be offering courses using apps on the iOS or Android. Below are some suggested ideas to ensure that these apps don't waste the potential of CBE programs, per Tech Crunch:

1) The CBE program app should be work similarly to Match.com.

Those under the CBE program should be easily matched with future employers based on their competencies or the courses they have completed. In order to facilitate this, their competencies should be visible in the CBE app. Think of this is a pre-hiring feature that should either give students internship opportunities, or provide employers with improved career services for those looking for work.

2) The CBE program app should have clickable degrees and credentials.

Employers looking for possible workers enrolled in a CBE program will have access to profiles containing credentials, such as transcripts and certificates. However, these details will give the hiring manager little ideas in gauging the person's capacity for the job. Thus, CBE programs should have a clickable feature that will redirect the employer to course descriptions that will help the employer determine an applicant's competencies easier.

3) The CBE program app should offer remedial courses.

To boost how students can be job-ready after school, without having to enroll for post-graduate studies, CBE programs must offer "co-requisite remediation," especially in community colleges. A report via New America revealed that the rate of course completion for students taking remediation classes via CBE doubled when schools adopted the system.

Are you in favor of CBE programs? Do you have other ideas for the apps? Hit the comments to have your say!