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Competency Based Online (CBO) Pilot ProjectSUZANNE MARKS, PROGRAM CHAIR & FACULTY

BELLEVUE COLLEGE, BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON

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WGU/Gates Grant Criteria Online

Technology Related

Certificate or Degree

Competency Based

3What is Competency Based Education (CBE)?

In CBE, we measure student learning rather than time

Computer-mediated instruction gives the ability to individualize learning for each student because each student learns at a different pace and comes to the content knowing different things; this is a fundamental requirement of competency-based education.

Source: Dr. Robert MendenhallPresident, Western Governors University

4What is Competency Based Education (CBE)?

CBE fundamentally changes the faculty role

In traditional education, instruction takes place at the lecturers' pace. For most students, this will be the wrong pace. Some will need to go more slowly; others will be able to move much faster—race horses and turtles

In CBE, instruction takes place a the learner’s pace

Competency-based learning shifts the role of the faculty from that of "a sage on the stage" to a "guide on the side." Faculty members work with students, guiding learning, answering questions, leading discussions, and helping students synthesize and apply knowledge.

Source: Dr. Robert MendenhallPresident, Western Governors University

5What is Competency Based Education (CBE)?

In CBE, we define competencies and develop valid, reliable assessments

The fundamental premise of competency-based education is that we define what students should know and be able to do, and they graduate when they have demonstrated their competency. This means that we have to define the competencies very clearly. Getting industry input is essential to make sure that we've identified relevant competencies.

Once the competencies are established, we need experts in assessment to ensure that we're measuring the right things.

Source: Dr. Robert MendenhallPresident, Western Governors University

6Thomas Friedman, The New York Times

Institutions must move from a model of “time served” to a model of “stuff learned.”

Because increasingly, the world does not care what you know. You can Google it. The world only cares, and will only pay for, what you can do with what you know. And, therefore, it will not pay for a C+ in chemistry, just because your college considers that a passing grade and is willing to give you a diploma that says so.

We’re moving to a more competency-based world where there will be less interest in how you acquired the competency and more demand to prove that you mastered the competency.

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Business Software Specialist Certificate

We selected our Business Software Specialist 32- credit certificate

We wanted a certificate that:

Was an existing certificate

Was a popular, high-demand certificate

Was a certificate that appealed to a broad audience

That included industry certification

That had the ability to offer a high-tech, high-touch program

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Business Software Specialist Certificate 32 credits

8 courses

1 Orientation

5 Office

2 Web

5 Microsoft Office certifications

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Role of the Navigator

The Navigator is the first point of contact for the student

The Navigator supports student throughout the process

The Navigator is a key “high touch” feature to the program

The Navigator reviews the SmarterMeasure college and online readiness assessment tool results with the student to determine if CBE is the right fit for the student or if another program is a better fit

The student is admitted in the program and followed up bi-weekly or more, if necessary, by the Navigator, as well as the instructor

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SmarterMeasure

SmarterMeasure online and college readiness tool ($5,000 for 500)

1.       Life Factors

2.       Individual Attributes

3.       Learning Styles

4.       Reading Rate & Recall

5.       Technical Competency

6.       Technical Knowledge

7.       Typing Speed & Accuracy

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How did we recruit?

We put a note in the college schedule, under each CBO course, it read: Section CBO is a “Competency Based Online" class. Students participate in a self-

paced online course with the support of a student Navigator. Students will complete a pre-test to identify their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to fast forward through course topics that they understand well. Once proven competent in all course topics, students receive credit and can move on, instructor permission required. For more information go to http://depts.bellevuecollege.edu/ibit/cbo/

We put up posters around campus that matched the panel card

We spoke to all campus advisors—workforce, international programs, etc.

We placed panel cards in external workforce agencies

We emailed students, made announcements in classes, created a website

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Recruitment Results and Enrollments

Day 2 – 80 enrolled

Day 3 – 20 waitlisted

Day 4 – cut off enrollments

Day 5 – hired a second navigator

Enrollment through the 7th week (continuous enrollment)

Converted 2/3 of the inquires to enrollments

First quarter enrollment was 87; Day 2 second quarter enrollment was 104

14Faculty – How Did We Begin Conversion to CBE Format?

Stripped out all due dates except final assessments

Converted homework assignments to practice sessions

Added two to three final assessments

Included a business running case assessment across all courses

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Typical Course

Pre-test to assess prior learning

Practice, practice, practice

Post-test to 80%+

Comprehensive assessment

Certification assessment

Grades – A, B, FCompetency or No Competency

16Software Tools (MOS, Gmetrix, MyITLab, Canvas)

MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certification exams ($5,000 for 500)

Final assessment

Gmetrix MOS certification practice trainings, exams ($3,000 for unlimited)

Practice

Pearson MyITLab for practice and training ($113 for all 5 office courses)

Practice

Comprehensive final assessment (business running case)

Web content practice and assessments

Canvas used as LMS

Added MOS exams to the college testing center

Added Gmetrix to teaching labs and some computers in open lab

MyITLab fee gives 5 free etexts for 12 months and free 180-day office software

17Were retention and grades better with CBO? Yes—7%

  Total A B+ F I HW W

Word 14 10 3 0 0 1 0PowerPoint 17 11 3 0 0 2 1Excel 29 18 7 1 1 2 0Outlook 29 19 7 3 0 0 0Access 15 12 1 0 1 0 1Web Essentials

13 8 3 1 0 1 0

Webpage Authoring

9 6 0 0 2 1 0

     Total 126 84 24 5 4 7 286% of the CBO students passed with competency (108/126)

77% of the CBO students passed MOS certification (70/91) of those competent

14% of the CBO students did not complete the course (18/126)other colleges in the Gates grant had 20-25% non-completers

ApplicationQuarter

Total # Studentsin the class

A A- B+

B B- C+

C C- D+

D F I HW W

OutlookFall 2013

27 9 3 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 4 0 2 5

PowerPoint Winter 2014

32 19 6 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Word Winter 2014

27 11 3 6 3 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0

Excel Winter 2014

27 16 3 1 2 1 0 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

Access Fall 2013

26 18 2 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2

Web EssentialsFall 2013

27 16 2 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 1

Webpage AuthoringFall 2013

23 14 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 2

     Total 189 103 20 15 6 5 4 4 0 2 3 11 0 4 10

79% of the regular students passed with competency (149/189)

7% of the regular students passed but did not achieve competency (13/189)

13% of the regular students did not complete the course (15/189)

0% of the regular students took MOS certification as a required part of their course (189/189)

18Did we make any adjustments after the first quarter?

Yes, we added:

1. Self-pacing Chart

2. Progress Report

3. Gmetrix Practice Exam, 80%+ for a B grade competency

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Samples Self-Pacing Chart

Access Pacing Charts

Beginning

Intermediate

Advanced

Self-Pacing ChartStudents who enter the course with the level of experience listed below, can expect to complete the course in about the estimated guideline times listed.Application Beginner Intermediate AdvancedOutlook 7-9 weeks 4-6 weeks 3-4 weeksPowerPoint 7-9 weeks 4-6 weeks 3-4 weeksWord 8-10 weeks 4-6 weeks 3-4 weeksExcel 8-10 weeks 5-7 weeks 4-5 weeksAccess 8-10 weeks 5-7 weeks 4-5 weeksWeb Essentials 8-10 weeks 5-7 weeks 4-5 weeksWebpage Authoring

9-11 weeks 6-8 weeks 5-6 weeks

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Self Assessment and Pacing ChartExamples Self-Pacing Chart

Access Pacing Charts

Beginning

Intermediate

Advanced

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Certificate Outcomes and Assessments

Identify Certificate Outcomes

1. Utilize intermediate to advanced software features in industry standard software to solve a business problem

2. Develop and manage small business websites using industry standard software

3. Gain Microsoft Office Specialist Core certification

If you don’t assess it, you can’t claim it as an outcome 4. Assist others with trouble-shooting software features

We were not assessing this customer service, technical support outcome, so we dropped it - Our first “ah ha”

We identified a redundant class in the certificate, covering the same competencies Students were taking an Office intro course, and then taking the Office comprehensive course - Our second

“ah ha”

We changed the Office intro course to a Web intro course

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Course Outcomes

Course outcomes – Word course

After completing this class, students will be able to:

1. Create and Manage Documents within a professional business setting

2. Format Text, Paragraphs, and Sections to customize business documents

3. Create Tables and Lists to clearly communicate information in Word documents

4. Apply References in academic and professional documents

5. Insert and Format Objects to enhance effects and visual perception

6. Utilize intermediate to advanced software features to solve a business problem

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Sustainability

SmarterMeasure ($5,000)

MOS ($5,000)

Gmetrix ($3,000)

Navigators ($5,000, 5-credit release time per 50 students, salary + benefits)

How are we going to pay for these in the future?

A combo certification fee (for Business Tech, Networking, Bookkeeping, any other certification classes)

Navigators to teach orientation course as part of the workload within the program and to make the role more sustainable financially

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Student Testimonials

Jin-Mei Wang – “Thank you for offering CBO program. The flexible class pacing and without scheduled homework benefit forced me to be self-disciplined with good time management. Most of all, I can focus my studying on how to utilize MS Office in my personal life and field of work. Achieving the MS Office Certificate enhances a student’s job opportunities and future career opportunities.” Earned Outlook, Excel and Word MOS certification

Janell Alameda – took BTS 189, Winter Term – “Absolutely love it, and the self-paced learning!” LaShonnu Bolognese – “CBO is amazing… It was so nice to have Suzanne to go to with questions –

she was quick to respond and very helpful. Really like having you Vicky as the Student Navigator to go to also for questions about the CBO program. Think it is so nice that you follow-up with students to see how we are doing. I would really like to take more classes in the CBO format – but have already completed all of the others that are being offered by CBO.” Earned Outlook MOS certification

George Le – “The CBO format works very well. What I like about it is that I could learn and take the course at my own pace. Also not having assignments to actually turn in to be graded was less stressful. The MOS certification is great since I end up getting my certificate and then am just done with the class compared to taking a full 11-week class and going week by week doing assignments and waiting to take a final.” Earned Outlook MOS certification in 3 weeks

26Contact InformationBusiness Technology Systems, Bellevue College

Suzanne Marks, Faculty & Program Chair

suzanne.marks@bellevuecollege.edu

(425) 564-4017

http://www.bellevuecollege.edu/ibit/degrees/certificate/cbo/

Please complete the CBO interest form at:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XuBJafJKpF865s1uAKP5rtMb8Deg88-p2kH7L0rZ8fw/viewform

Suzanne Marks