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CBE Case Study / What is the UW Flexible Option?

The University of Wisconsin Flexible Option

A competency-based education case study (Note: University of Wisconsin System restructuring, approved by the Higher Learning Commission in June 2018, is not reflected in the content of this website.)

What is the UW Flexible Option?

The UW Flexible Option is the University of Wisconsin System’s version of a self-paced (progressing at the individual student’s own speed through a UW Flex faculty-led highly structured program), non-term, direct assessment competency-based education model. It does not rely on credits, courses, or semesters.

UW Flex is a partnership across UW System institutions. UW-Extension provides administrative, operational and academic design support. Faculty come from across UW. Degrees and certificates are awarded by several UW institutions.

By design, UW Flex:

  • Targets nontraditional adult learners, including those with some college but no degree.
  • Emphasizes what students know and can do rather than “seat time” in courses.
  • Integrates best practice educational principles.
  • Blends technology with human interaction.

UW Flex allows students to:

  • Start UW Flex programs any month.
  • Work at their own pace through a faculty-led highly structured program, with support from an Academic Success Coach.
  • Build upon the knowledge, skills, and abilities they’ve already gained through prior coursework, military training, on-the-job training, or other learning experiences.
  • Progress by demonstrating mastery of learning outcomes, assessed through a range of rigorous assignments and projects.
  • Transfer competencies to credit-based courses.

Traditional
Higher Education

UW Flexible Option

Fixed term of study such as a semester 3-month subscription periods, new start every month
Pace set by semester-based course Self-paced (for UW Flex, meaning individual students progress at their own pace through a faculty-led highly structured program)
Progress made by completing courses with passing grades Progress made by demonstrating mastery of student learning outcomes (competencies) through rigorous assessments
Faculty members instruct students in course-based settings. UW Flex has no courses. Faculty members set up the educational environment via the curation of materials, development of assessments and rubrics, scaffolding and sequencing, and evaluation of student work.
Students follow the course syllabus.
Students follow an Individualized Learning Plan.
Advising varies by institution, campus and program. Each student is assigned an Academic Success Coach who serves as a proactive mentor, resource specialist, problem-solver and student advocate.

 

Untitled-3We’re still there. We’ve baked ourselves into the curriculum.

Kim Kostka, UW-Rock County chemistry professor and UW Flex Associate of Arts and Science program coordinator, quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education on the role of faculty in UW Flex

  • CBE Introduction
    • What is competency-based education?
    • What issues does CBE address?
    • What is the UW Flexible Option?
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