In 2004, the College of Education at Oklahoma State University began the task of building a partnership with the Defense Ammunition Center (DAC) in McAlester, Oklahoma, and implementing research-driven, experience-based workforce education. In this article, the authors describe unique features and challenges of this multi-year…

Discusses the history of occupational analysis, its decline as a teaching tool, and the increased complexity of commercial materials used for occupational analysis. (JOW)

Process and product evidence presented in the paper indicate that the competency-based, mastery learning inservice workshop can be an effective diffusion strategy for an educational innovation. The innovation under study was a competency-based, mastery learning, individualized instruction project; the diffusion methods used were the same as the…

Secondary teachers (n=58, 40% response) identified student behaviors for the five affective areas of the Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) report (responsibility, self-esteem, sociability, self-management, integrity/honesty). The list of behaviors could provide a foundation for secondary schools implementing…

The author argues that competency-based education does not fit all vocational education applications and should be used in moderation. He also discusses vocational education's focus on actual occupational tasks and the use of criterion-referenced measurement of performance. (CT)

Task analysis provides a means of effectively incorporating current learning theory and practice into instructional development methodology. It yields results applicable to specifying performance objectives, designing instructional activities, determining teaching strategies, and evaluating performance. (Author/BP)

Although competency based education (CBE) offers solutions to some educational problems, it is not a cure-all. Problems with CBE include emphasis on output rather than the instructional process itself, over-reliance on occupational competencies and behavioral objectives, a tendency to lower academic standards, and the difficulty of implementation.…

The author outlines the history of instructional design for industrial training. He describes the Performance-Based Instructional Design system, with seven key components: (1) program description, (2) content analysis, (3) content selection, (4) content sequencing, (5) lesson structuring, (6) lesson delivery formatting, and (7) evaluation…

In Presenting an approximation to a systematic approach to promote learner realization of pre-defined competencies, a limited approach to instructional design emphasizing the content and processes of learning is suggested. (AG)

The author outlines an approach to competency-based education and lists factors vital to its statewide implementation. He covers advantages of statewide implementation and components of such a system, including commitment of state leaders, laws and policies, a supportive university system, and staff development. (CH)

Describes Florida's Approach to Competency-Based Individualized Teaching (FACIT), which is a learning system designed to provide vocational educators with the knowledge and the skills to implement and manage an individualized, competency-based instructional delivery system. (SK)

Reports results of a survey of industrial teacher education departments in colleges and universities to ascertain the number involved in competency-based teacher education and the extent of their involvement. Responses indicate that the majority of the departments are preparing teachers to develop and conduct competency-based education programs.…