Course Introduction

 

Module 1: Introducing Competences for 21st Century Schools

 

Module 2: Teaching Key Competences through Project Based Learning

 

Module 3: Assessing Key Competences

Welcome to Module 1

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand what is meant by ‘key competences’ also often referred to as ‘21st century skills’, and why developing them at school is so important in today’s world; 

2. Understand that the definition of competences as well as national and international frameworks vary but share common points; 

3. Be familiar with the basic key principles for teaching and assessing key competences, and self-assess your current practice and identify areas for improvement; 

4. Be familiar with how various countries across Europe have implemented a key competence approach in school education, particularly in Ireland which is the case study country used throughout the course.

1.1 Introduction

Introduction to Module 1

This video outlines: a) the learning objectives of this module; b) the 6 steps you will need to take in order to fully benefit from the content and activities proposed; and c) the assessment process enabling you to earn an e-badge which goes towards obtaining your final certificate at the end of the course. Remember, you need to watch this video before being able to access the full content of this module.

In case you have difficulty in understanding the speaker, you can download the transcript just below the video.

1.2 Pre-quiz

For each of the statements below, please indicate whether the statement is true or false. 

1. Certain transversal and higher-order skills, such as collaborative problem solving, are increasingly valued in today’s global and competitive knowledge society.

2. Social and active learning is only relevant to the teaching and learning of certain competences. 

3. Countries have introduced key competences and related learning outcomes into their national curricula for compulsory education, but they have not developed any additional strategies to implement new approaches. 

4. The increasingly digital world is an important driver in the introduction of competence-based approaches to teaching and learning. 

5. Competence-based approaches were originally used in vocational education and training before being extended to general school education. 

6. Competences can be defined as a complex combination of skills and attitudes leading to effective human action in the world in a particular domain