Competency-based higher education: a pending task by ARACELI CASTILLO

International context of research

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 15:48:18 UTC

"The question of competency-based teaching in higher education brings together researchers and students from the international cooperation agreement signed between the University of Antioquia, Colombia; the Technical University of the North, Ecuador; and the University of Vechta and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)."

→ This shows that competency-based education is not a local phenomenon, but has global relevance, with the exchange of experiences and best practices between universities in different countries.

Change of focus in teaching

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 15:57:38 UTC

"It's about moving from a content-based approach that asks, 'What topics or concepts should be taught?' to one that asks, 'What knowledge, procedures, and attitudes should be acquired?'"

→ Here, it's emphasized that simply teaching content isn't enough; it's essential to develop skills that allow students to confront real-life problems and apply what they've learned.

Higher education as a complex scenario

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 16:03:52 UTC

"Higher education can be approached as a complex, flexible, and participatory environment where diverse actors converge. They are immersed in a changing social reality and must respond to the continually emerging social phenomena and dynamics through their educational training."

→ The university must adapt to social reality and prepare students for a dynamic and changing world, fostering the active participation of all stakeholders.

Comprehensive student training

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 16:16:11 UTC

"One of the central purposes of higher education is the integral development of the individual. It involves addressing, through teaching, aspects of the human personality—the physical, moral, and intellectual dimensions."

→ Higher education not only transmits knowledge, but also develops people with values, ethics, and life skills.

Active role of the teacher

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 18:27:35 UTC

"The current role of higher education teachers is not only focused on theoretical knowledge; it also requires designing and implementing educational strategies and tools that are effective and relevant to this educational level."

→ Teachers become facilitators and guides, promoting meaningful learning through innovative methods.

Student-centered learning

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 18:42:46 UTC

"This advocates the need for a paradigm centered on teaching and learning where the student plays a leading role in their education."

→ The student ceases to be a passive recipient and becomes the protagonist of their learning, developing autonomy and critical thinking.

Situated teaching and real context

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 18:48:26 UTC

"We seek to articulate aspects such as the social environment and real-life contexts and problems, among others, so that university students can achieve better professional outcomes through situated learning."

→ Learning is linked to real-life situations, preparing students to apply their skills in professional settings.

Generic skills for the 21st century

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 18:54:22 UTC

"Some of the questions that this approach seeks to answer are: what generic competencies are relevant to addressing the challenges of the 21st century? How should these competencies be promoted through higher education?"

→ The goal is to develop skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, which are essential in a globalized and changing world.

Evaluation from competencies

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 19:23:58 UTC

"The central purpose of this book is to demonstrate how a competency-based approach to teaching and learning, instruments, and tools for assessing acquired knowledge, can be used."

→ It's not just about learning that matters, but also about being able to demonstrate that the competency has been acquired and can be applied through practical, action-oriented assessments.

Practical and scientific application of skills

araceli25cas — 2025-09-14 19:26:18 UTC

"The competencies must not only empower teachers and students to apply scientific concepts in the complex contexts in which they operate; they must also scientifically analyze, propose innovative concepts, and communicate knowledge, theories, and methods that foster reflection on problem-solving."

→ The goal is for students and teachers to develop skills to generate solutions, innovate, and communicate effectively in complex professional and academic situations.