Evaluate 2.1.2: Rubrics and Learning Competencies

For this section, set up a competency structure for one unit of your sample course. Associate the assignments in that unit with the competency. Submit both a screenshot of the structure and a detailed explanation of why you created the structure that way. Include a discussion of the various pathways a student may go through to attain the competencies in the unit and document all in your blog.

Competency based learning lends itself to a wide variety of assessments and can provide students with flexibility in how they show their mastery of the the subject matter at hand. Competency allows students who bring in prior knowledge to move on to subjects faster than the course is paced or allows a person who is not a good test taker to demonstrate their knowledge in another manner.  subjects.  The important this is for teachers to review the assessments offered, project, lab, essay, reading response, etc to make sure that they align in the entire standard and that students can demonstrate mastery of the subject.

In my face to face classroom, I use checklists with options for students to demonstrate mastery of subject material. This is a great way to compact work for gifted students and students who are independent learners. 


I decided to try and create a competency for a past Epidemiology course. I decided to use the standard:

4. SEPI5.  Students will interpret and critically analyze health related messages in the media to make informed public health decisions and establish life goals
   
   1. Understand the emergent technology that may impact health and disease
      
   2. Judge the strengths and limitations of epidemiological reports
      
   3. Students will evaluate the use of a health related strategy to promote a healthy lifestyletudents will be exposed to various career paths in public health  

I focused on the following essential questions:

• How do you determine the truth of such claims using positive and negative aspects of epidemiological reports?
• How do you evaluate media messages?
• Why is it important to be media literate?

This first image shows the EQs and assignments.

The second image shows the assignments that are associated with the EQs. 

If after reviewing the material the students feels ready to demonstrate mastery, they can immediately take the test to reach competency.  Other students can choose to do one, two or more activities to interact with the information before attempting the exam.