Defining Learning Objectives: Professional Profiles and Functions
The design process in Missions starts from defining learning (or validation) objectives. These objectives are established from the definition of a professional profile (or in academic programs, a graduation profile). To define the profile, professional functions and the competencies and knowledge that compose them are mapped.Each function represents a set of tasks and responsibilities that generate a specific, verifiable, and measurable result, and is the result of a specific combination of competencies. The same competency can be part of more than one function. Therefore, the platform guides us in two complementary mappings, functions and competencies, which are subsequently connected in a flexible and interactive way. The declaration of functions is essential for designing truly meaningful learning experiences since it allows us to concentrate on what is really strategic for that profile and at the same time they constitute a relatively limited set (usually between 5 and 10) and more manageable (and measurable and evaluable) than the set of competencies.To map the competencies associated with a profile, multiple existing frameworks can be used or new ones that the designer considers appropriate for their objectives. As an example, in our experience (working mainly with technical professional profiles) it has been very useful to organize competencies into toolset, skillset and mindset. Other models use knowledge, capabilities and competencies or specific and transversal competencies, to give just a few examples. In the Missions interface, competencies are only defined generically to facilitate the implementation of any model.
