A reference model for presentation of studies in competency-based education in engineering and computing
Abstract
Competency-Based Education (CBE) has established itself as an effective educational method, as it focuses on the development of essential skills and competencies for professional practice. However, in the field of computing and engineering, this approach is still underrepresented. One of the challenges in the area is the lack of standardization in the way as studies are described and documented. This hinders the comprehension on the topic and the studies replication. This paper proposes a reference model supporting researchers on understanding and presentation of studies on CBE. The model was developed through an iterative and incremental process, following a rigorous selection of primary studies: each selected study incorporates new dimensions and attributes to the model. The proposed model has the potential to be supportive, as it can be used as a basis both for presenting studies on CBE and for analyzing the quality of published work.References
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Raj, R. K., Impagliazzo, J., Aly, S. G., Bowers, D. S., Connamacher, H., Kurkovsky, S., MacKellar, B., Prickett, T., and Marques Samary, M. (2022). Toward competency-based professional accreditation in computing. In Proceedings of the 2022 Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE-WGR ’22, page 1–35, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Rayón, A., Guenaga, M., and Núñez, A. (2014). Supporting competency-assessment through a learning analytics approach using enriched rubrics. In Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality, TEEM ’14, page 291–298, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Rincon-Flores, E. G., Moreno, J. A. M., López-Camacho, E., and Mena, J. (2021). Learning spaces for a competency-based model: Post-occupancy evaluation. In 2021 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), pages 360–365.
Rytikova, I. and Boicu, M. (2014). A methodology for personalized competency-based learning in undergraduate courses. In Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference on Information Technology Education, SIGITE ’14, page 81–86, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Vargas, H., Heradio, R., Chacon, J., De La Torre, L., Farias, G., Galan, D., and Dormido, S. (2019). Automated assessment and monitoring support for competency-based courses. IEEE Access, 7:41043–41051.
Wang, H., Tlili, A., Lehman, J., Lu, H., and Huang, R. (2021). Investigating feedback implemented by instructors to support online competency-based learning (cbl): a multiple case study. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18.
Zaitseva, L. and Misnevs, B. (2019). Competency-based approach teaching software engineering.
Brauer, S. (2021). Towards competence-oriented higher education: a systematic literature review of the different perspectives on successful exit profiles. Education and Training, 63:1376–1390.
Caeiro Rodriguez, M., Manso Vázquez, M., Fernández, A., Llamas Nistal, M., Fernández Iglesias, M. J., Tsalapatas, H., Heidmann, O., Vaz de Carvalho, C., Jesmin, T., Terasmaa, J., and Sørensen, L. (2021). Teaching soft skills in engineering education: An european perspective. IEEE Access, 9:29222–29242.
Cruz, L., Santos, J., and Salvador, L. (2023). An investigation of higher education computing teachers’ perception of competency-based education: A case study in the state of bahia (in portuguese). Anais do Workshop de Informática na Escola (WIE), pages 940–951.
Dedović, L. and Mušić, D. (2017). Competency-based learning model in practice. In 2017 IEEE 15th International Symposium on Intelligent Systems and Informatics (SISY), pages 000039–000039.
Fastré, G., Klink, M., Amsing, P., and Van Merrienboer, J. J. G. (2014). Assessment criteria for competency-based education: a study in nursing education. Instructional Science, 42.
Force, C. T. (2020). Computing Curricula 2020: Paradigms for Global Computing Education. Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA.
Frezza, S., Daniels, M., Pears, A., Cajander, r., Kann, V., Kapoor, A., McDermott, R., Peters, A.-K., Sabin, M., and Wallace, C. (2018). Modelling competencies for computing education beyond 2020: a research based approach to defining competencies in the computing disciplines. In Proceedings Companion of the 23rd Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE 2018 Companion, page 148–174, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Félix-Herrán, L. C., Rendon-Nava, A., and Jalil, J. (2019). Challenge-based learning: an i-semester for experiential learning in mechatronics engineering. International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM), 13.
Garay-Rondero, C. L., Thierry-Aguilera, R., Schneider, A. K., Bourguet-Diaz, R. E., Salinas, M. L., and Zavala, G. (2021). Designing a cyber-physical-systems and human factors engineering course for industry 4.0. In 2021 Machine Learning-Driven Digital Technologies for Educational Innovation Workshop, pages 1–8.
García-Berdonés, C., Trujillo-Aguilera, F. D., and Tójar-Hurtado, J.-C. (2016). Integrating generic competences in an engineering degree curriculum: the students’ point of view. In Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality, TEEM ’16, page 185–190, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Gluga, R., Kay, J., Lister, R., Kleitman, S., and Lever, T. (2012). Coming to terms with bloom: an online tutorial for teachers of programming fundamentals. page 147–156.
Gottipati, S. and Shankararaman, V. (2018). Competency analytics tool: Analyzing curriculum using course competencies. Education and Information Technologies, 23(1):41–60.
Henri, M., Johnson, M., and Nepal, B. (2017). A review of competency-based learning: Tools, assessments, and recommendations: A review of competency-based learning. Journal of Engineering Education, 106:607–638.
Kiesler, N. and Pfülb, B. (2023). Higher education programming competencies: A novel dataset. In Artificial Neural Networks and Machine Learning – ICANN 2023: 32nd International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, Heraklion, Crete, Greece, September 26–29, 2023, Proceedings, Part VIII, page 319–330, Berlin, Heidelberg. Springer-Verlag.
Kiesler, N. and Pfülb, B. (2023). Higher Education Programming Competencies: A Novel Dataset, pages 319–330.
Kiesler, N. and Thorbrügge, C. (2022). A comparative study of programming competencies in vocational training and higher education. In Proceedings of the 27th ACM Conference on on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education Vol. 1, ITiCSE ’22, page 214–220, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Lewis, M. W., Eden, R., Garber, C., Rudnick, M., Santibañez, L., and Tsai, T. (2014). Equity in competency education: Realizing the potential, overcoming the obstacles. Jobs for the Future, Boston, MA.
Masapanta-Carrión, S. and Velázquez-Iturbide, J. (2018). A systematic review of the use of bloom’s taxonomy in computer science education. pages 441–446.
Mihnev, P., Antonova, A., Georgiev, A., Stefanov, K., Stefanova, E., and Nikolova, N. (2021). Designing a Competence-Based Learning Course with Digital Tools in Higher Education, pages 202–211.
Miranda, J., Navarrete, C., Noguez, J., Molina-Espinosa, J.-M., Ramírez-Montoya, M.-S., Navarro-Tuch, S. A., Bustamante-Bello, M.-R., Rosas-Fernández, J.-B., and Molina, A. (2021). The core components of education 4.0 in higher education: Three case studies in engineering education. Computers Electrical Engineering, 93:107278.
Mäses, S., Maennel, O., and Sütterlin, S. (2021). Using Competency Mapping for Skills Assessment in an Introductory Cybersecurity Course, pages 572–583.
Naeem, U., Bosman, L., and Revell, C. (2023). myskills - a reflective framework for employability skills. In 2023 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), pages 1–6.
Northrup, P. T. (2016). Handbook of Research on Competency-Based Education in University Settings. Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development. Information Science Reference, Hershey, PA, USA.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., McGuinness, L. A., Stewart, L. A., Thomas, J., Tricco, A. C., Welch, V. A., Whiting, P., and Moher, D. (2021). The prisma 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372.
Patrick, S. and Sturgis, C. (2013). Necessary for success: Building mastery of world class skills. A state policymaker’s guide to competency education. International Association for K-12 Online Learning, Vienna, VA.
Raj, R. K., Impagliazzo, J., Aly, S. G., Bowers, D. S., Connamacher, H., Kurkovsky, S., MacKellar, B., Prickett, T., and Marques Samary, M. (2022). Toward competency-based professional accreditation in computing. In Proceedings of the 2022 Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, ITiCSE-WGR ’22, page 1–35, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Rayón, A., Guenaga, M., and Núñez, A. (2014). Supporting competency-assessment through a learning analytics approach using enriched rubrics. In Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Technological Ecosystems for Enhancing Multiculturality, TEEM ’14, page 291–298, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Rincon-Flores, E. G., Moreno, J. A. M., López-Camacho, E., and Mena, J. (2021). Learning spaces for a competency-based model: Post-occupancy evaluation. In 2021 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), pages 360–365.
Rytikova, I. and Boicu, M. (2014). A methodology for personalized competency-based learning in undergraduate courses. In Proceedings of the 15th Annual Conference on Information Technology Education, SIGITE ’14, page 81–86, New York, NY, USA. Association for Computing Machinery.
Vargas, H., Heradio, R., Chacon, J., De La Torre, L., Farias, G., Galan, D., and Dormido, S. (2019). Automated assessment and monitoring support for competency-based courses. IEEE Access, 7:41043–41051.
Wang, H., Tlili, A., Lehman, J., Lu, H., and Huang, R. (2021). Investigating feedback implemented by instructors to support online competency-based learning (cbl): a multiple case study. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 18.
Zaitseva, L. and Misnevs, B. (2019). Competency-based approach teaching software engineering.
Published
2025-04-07
How to Cite
CRUZ, Leandro S.; SANTOS, José Amancio M.; COUTINHO, Lucca de A. H.; SALVADOR, Lais N..
A reference model for presentation of studies in competency-based education in engineering and computing. In: BRAZILIAN SYMPOSIUM ON COMPUTING EDUCATION (EDUCOMP), 5. , 2025, Juiz de Fora/MG.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2025
.
p. 59-71.
ISSN 3086-0733.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/educomp.2025.4912.
