Competency-based education: design, implementation, and evaluation in higher education programs

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of the design, implementation and evaluation of competency-based educational programs in higher education institutions in Ecuador. The main objective was to examine how these programs affect student learning outcomes in order to propose strategies to improve their relevance and effectiveness in relation to the demands of the socioeconomic environment. The research used a quantitative approach with a descriptive and correlational design, and applied a survey to a sample of 100 students from various Ecuadorian universities. The results showed that, although the curricular design is generally aligned with the necessary professional competencies, there is a disconnection with the current needs of the labor market, which affects the employability of graduates. The implementation of the program was positively evaluated in terms of pedagogical methods, but the lack of educational resources limited its effectiveness. In terms of evaluation, there was a lack of continuous and detailed feedback, which made it difficult for students to improve. The conclusions suggest that it is crucial to update educational programs, improve available resources and establish more effective evaluation systems.