Article

Competence-based education and the limitations of critique

Details

Citation

Edwards R (2016) Competence-based education and the limitations of critique. International Journal of Training Research, 14 (3), pp. 244-255. https://doi.org/10.1080/14480220.2016.1254366

Abstract
Drawing upon the work of Foucault and Latour, this article reflects on 25years of critique of competence-based education and its continuing strength as a way of framing education and training. Using an example from England, it rehearses the argument from Foucault that, despite its student-centred discourse, competence-based education can be positioned as one of the disciplining techniques in modern societies. However, beyond the research community, such critiques have had little impact. The article seeks to explore this by drawing upon Latour’s argument that conventional forms of critique have run out of steam. This indicates the need for new forms of educational critique as a means of having impact on policy and practice. The article is theoretically driven and exploratory.

Keywords
Foucault; Latour; competence-based education; critique; vocational education

Journal
International Journal of Training Research: Volume 14, Issue 3

StatusPublished
Publication date31/12/2016
Publication date online12/12/2016
Date accepted by journal31/08/2016
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/24844
PublisherTaylor and Francis
ISSN1448-0220

People (1)

Professor Richard Edwards

Professor Richard Edwards

Emeritus Professor, Education