Frameworks of competence: common or specific?

Abstract

Examples of what are known as frameworks of skill or competence suggest a range of requirements which might be met by such frameworks, for organisations, individuals and educational institutions. However, there are two opposing tendencies in framework development: towards different, context-specific frameworks and towards common, shared frameworks. The approach to resolving this, suggested here and prefigured in the JISC-funded SPWS project, is to make a clear distinction between the common and specific approaches, focusing agreement onto common frameworks for reference, while allowing divergence between specific frameworks for application and implementation. This may resolve the tension and allow both common and specific frameworks to flourish. Pointers are given for working towards this. Standards in the area need further development. E-learning tools, including e-portfolio systems, need to build in support for this two-component approach to frameworks of competence.