Abstract:

Competence-based learning gains popularity as an efficient and flexible approach in formal and informal training, but it still has a limited role in Higher Education. Both learner-oriented and goals-oriented, competence-based learning allows adaptation and customization of learning depending on the context and according to specific individual preferences. At the same time, an increasing number of learning environments and digital tools emerge, successfully promoting practical activities for the design and implementation of competence-based approaches.

The present research aims to outline how digital tools and e-learning environments can promote and facilitate applying competence-based learning in the context of Higher Education (HE). Based on the experience of the authors on numerous EU projects, the paper summarizes how the digital tools can support design, development, and progress tracking of competence-based learning in HE. More specifically, in the first part, the paper presents some of the factors and concepts, leading to the evolution of competence-based learning and its impact on educational systems. The second part evaluates the practical steps for design and implementation of learning activities and use of technological tools. It emphasizes the potential of the modern learning management systems (LMS) to track the progress and to be used in the assessment of achievement of different levels of competence development. The discussion part provides a number of recommendations for the deployment of digital tools for the adoption of competence-based learning in HE.

Keywords:

Competence-based learning, digital tools, higher education.