Competency-Based Instruction in Business and Management Communication Courses Taught by Association for Business Communication Member Faculty

In this study, the authors surveyed 254 Association for Business Communication members to determine how many used competency-based instruction (CBI) to teach business or management communication. Only 11 % taught such a course at a 4-year institution, primarily to undergraduates. Of those who reported using CBI, most also distributed research-based competencies before assessment, allowed students to test multiple times, provided a grading system encouraging achievement above minimum standards, and used student feedback to improve content and structure of competencies. Significant barriers to CBI included faculty satisfaction with traditional instruction, lack of knowledge about CBI, lack of incentives or resources, difficulty in scheduling physical facilities, and student immaturity in handling the freedom invoved in CBI instruction.