Instruction Guide for Content Creators

Using Competency Tags & Learning Outcomes in Thematic Study Cases

Purpose

This guide helps you:

• Tag your content consistently with the correct competencies from the glossary

• Align learning activities with specific learning outcomes across the 8 PATTERN Thematic Areas

• Contribute to a high-quality, reusable repository of study cases that support competency-based learning and assessment

How to Use the Competency Glossary

1. Review the glossary terms provided in the Moodle glossary titled “Competency Tags for Study Cases”.

2. When creating a new study case (scenario-based activity or mini-project):

   • Identify which competencies are explicitly applied, practiced, or developed in the activity.

   • Choose at least 3 to 5 relevant tags that best represent the skills involved.

   • Use these tags in:

     • The case description metadata

     • Moodle activity settings (using labels or custom fields)

     • Assessment rubrics or reflection prompts

3. Use transferable competencies when applicable. Many skills (e.g., communication, collaboration) cut across multiple thematic areas and show learners how skills are applicable in diverse settings.

Learning Outcomes per Thematic Area

Align each study case with learning outcomes that represent the core educational goals of the thematic area. Below is a simplified mapping:

1. FAIR Research Data Management (RDM)

• Understand how to apply FAIR principles to data workflows

• Design and critique Data Management Plans (DMPs)

• Apply metadata standards, persistent identifiers, and licensing

• Use tools like ARGOS and Zenodo

Core competencies: Data stewardship, digital literacy, metadata standards, open licensing

2. Gender and Inclusivity in Research

• Audit projects and teams for gender bias and inclusivity

• Apply ethical and inclusive design principles

• Promote gender awareness in research planning

Core competencies: Gender awareness, ethical awareness, inclusive design, empathy

3. Mental Health & Leadership

• Recognize stressors and mental health challenges in academic settings

• Develop peer-support and wellbeing frameworks

• Promote psychological safety and responsible communication

Core competencies: Psychological safety, empathy, collaboration, reflective practice

4. Science Communication 

• Design communication strategies for non-specialist audiences

• Develop campaigns using citizen science or open platforms

• Understand ethics in science outreach

Core competencies: Public engagement, creativity, communication, digital tools

5. Research Integrity

• Apply principles of research integrity, transparency, and reproducibility

• Manage ethical review processes and informed consent

Core competencies: Ethical awareness, critical thinking, responsibility

6. Citizen Science

• Co-create research activities with non-professional communities

• Design and manage participatory data collection and analysis

• Ensure accessibility, transparency, and mutual learning

Core competencies: Stakeholder communication, public engagement, co-creation, ethical awareness

7. Open Access 

• Promote open publishing practices

• Use platforms to disseminate research openly

• Apply open licensing to publications and outputs

Core competencies: Open licensing, digital literacy, advocacy

8. Dissemination & Exploitation

• Develop strategies to maximize project visibility and uptake

• Align research outcomes with policy, societal needs, or market use

• Map and communicate the project’s broader value and reuse potential

Core competencies: Strategic communication, stakeholder mapping, impact planning, project coordination