Table 1

Time-based versus competency-based curricula

CURRICULUM ASPECTSTRADITIONAL TIME BASEDCOMPETENCY BASED
Focus, structure, and content

  • Content: knowledge, skills, attitudes

  • Rotations

  • Outcome: demonstration of competence

  • Relevant, paced learning opportunities

Goal

  • Knowledge acquisition

  • Knowledge application

Actors

  • Teacher to learner

  • Teacher and learner

  • Relevant role models

Assessment

  • Evaluation form

  • Norm referenced

  • Summative

  • Evaluation portfolio

  • Criterion referenced

  • Formative

Program completion

  • Fixed time

  • Variable time

  • Data from Tannenbaum et al.1