Competence orientation

What does competence orientation mean?

Competencies are "the cognitive abilities and skills available to individuals or learned by them to solve certain problems, as well as the associated motivational, volitional and social readiness and abilities to be able to use the problem solutions successfully and responsibly in variable situations ". (Weinert 2001, p. 27 f.)

The TU Dresden's draft teaching mission statement refers to the concept of competence orientation as follows:

"Competence orientation is based on a change of perspective in teaching - the "Shift from Teaching to Learning". It is no longer just about the content to be taught, but also about what students are able to do after completing a module or degree program with the help of subject-specific and interdisciplinary content."

The path to competence-oriented teaching

The principle of constructive alignment as a basis

This video from Hochschule Geisenheim University provides a clear and concise explanation, including examples.

The image shows a hexagonal diagram with several elements representing the teaching-learning process in an educational setting. In the center are the terms "situations, requirements, tasks." — vgl. Biggs 1999; Wildt & Wildt 2011

The principle of constructive alignment relates to the following aspects:

Teaching, learning, assessment are not separate processes, but interlinked
Therefore: coordination and compatibility of the processes with each other
Starting point: students usually align their learning behavior with examination requirements
Advantage: controllable learning process, increased motivation to learn

Competence-oriented teaching step by step

1. Define competencies

2. Formulate learning objectives

3. Design audit

4. Planning of teaching and learning content and methods

Differentiation between types of competence

Mindmap als Übersicht über verschiedene Kompetenzarten

Competence orientation in the focus of teaching

Focus on competence-oriented testing

In order to be able to conduct competence-oriented examinations, the examination format must be tailored to the desired competencies. The following video gives you an insight into the design of competence-oriented examinations.

Ideas for examination formats

Tabellarischer Überblick über verschiedene Prüfungsformen.

Focus on competence-oriented methods

Tabellarischer Überblick über verschiedene Methoden, um die Kompetenz zu fördern.

Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HQF)

The Higher Education Qualifications Framework is groundbreaking for degrees at German universities. This was developed in cooperation between the German Rectors' Conference, the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

The HQF provides for the following model with regard to the competence discussion, in which four dimensions are defined:

Competence-oriented development of degree programs: A handout from TU Dresden

A working group made up of members of TU Dresden has compiled the most important points relating to the topic of competence orientation in a handout, focusing primarily on the degree program and module level (including examinations).

In addition to theoretical principles, the guide contains tips and suggestions for practical implementation. Suggestions are given for formulating competence-oriented learning objectives and assistance with the design of module descriptions. The listed working aids and further links also provide the opportunity to use the chapters on an ad hoc and accompanying basis, e.g. during the design of a module.