How can the 3 R’s of Rethink, Reimagine, and Reinvent Transform Education -- and Entire Industries?

Day - ?? Transformational Tuesday

“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” — Alvin Toffler?

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Exciting News! ?? I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be presenting at the sold-out CBExchange conference in Colorado Springs! This conference, hosted by the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN), brings together leaders and innovators in education and workforce development to rethink and reimagine how we approach learning. On Wednesday, I’ll be sharing insights during my session “Transforming Campus Culture and Developing Emotional Intelligence with a Powerful Personality Tool” during the Power Hour Learner Perspective session.?

For me, this journey is personal. Growing up, I was taught the classic 3 R’s—Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic. These skills were considered essential and foundational, yet focused primarily on cognitive development and repetition, with the expectation that students fit into a standardized system. But as I’ve learned through my own career and experiences, there’s a new set of 3 R’s—Rethink, Reimagine, and Reinvent—that are just as essential, especially in a world that demands adaptability, creativity, and continuous learning.?

After years as the leader of the College of Business at Western Governors University (WGU), a leader in competency-based education (CBE), I saw firsthand how powerful CBE could be in meeting students’ unique needs. Inspired to take this further, many years ago I founded Higher Ed Change with the goal of helping to reshape education to meet the demands of a fast-evolving world. In a way, my journey reflects the shift from the old 3 R’s to the new ones, as we focus on building durable skills, emotional intelligence, and resilience.?

When it comes to transformation I wanted to share some insights from this journey and discuss how the new 3 R’s, combined with AI and CBE, can transform education and provide a model for industry-wide change.?

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?? The New 3 R’s: How Rethink, Reimagine, and Reinvent Can Drive Transformational Change ?

The traditional approach to education focused heavily on memorization and standardized learning, leading to limited flexibility for students who had different learning styles and goals. Today, however, we’re witnessing a shift from “time served” in the classroom to mastery of competencies—where students progress based on skills and knowledge rather than seat time. This approach has powerful implications not only for education but also for any industry seeking to adapt and thrive.?

The 3 R’s of Rethink, Reimagine, and Reinvent drive this transformation. Here’s how they shape my work at Higher Ed Change and how they can shape the future of other industries:?

• Rethink — Challenging the Norms: For decades, education has relied on time-based progression and standardized testing. Rethinking this model involves questioning these assumptions and focusing on individual strengths, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. Competency-based education allows students to progress at their own pace, mastering skills at a depth that’s more meaningful than a grade or time spent in a classroom. In industry, rethinking involves analyzing outdated systems and embracing models that better serve both employees and stakeholders.?

• Reimagine — Envisioning What’s Possible: Reimagining is about asking, What would this look like if we could break free from the old constraints? It was this vision that drove my decision to create Higher Ed Change and help educational institutions and businesses align with today’s workforce needs. For example, rather than merely teaching technical skills, we integrate personality tools that cultivate self-awareness, resilience, and interpersonal skills—qualities essential for a lifetime of learning and growth.

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• Reinvent — Turning Vision into Reality: Reinventing means putting this vision into action. At Higher Ed Change, we’re actively creating programs that prioritize both durable skills and career readiness, equipping learners to adapt, grow, and lead in a changing world. Reinvention can also include leveraging AI-driven tools to create a personalized learning experience. In the workplace, reinventing might look like realigning training programs with employee strengths, providing feedback loops, and investing in development tools that foster lifelong learning.?

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?? Rethink: Questioning Traditional Models with AI ?

Rethinking traditional models begins with challenging “one-size-fits-all” assumptions and asking how we can better serve the individual. Competency-based education redefines success as mastery rather than time spent, and AI makes this approach even more powerful by enabling personalized, data-driven learning.?

Actionable Tips:?

• Implement Adaptive Learning Platforms: AI-driven platforms can assess student or employee progress in real time, providing targeted insights that help close skills gaps.?
• Use AI to Develop Personalized Learning Paths: When AI tailors learning to individual needs, students and employees can move at their own pace, progressing as they master essential skills.?
• Emphasize Continuous Learning with Feedback Loops: AI data insights can create an environment where learning and improvement are ongoing, setting a foundation for lifelong adaptability.?

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?? Reimagine: Envisioning a Future-Ready Learning Model ?

Reimagining education and training means focusing not just on “what” students learn but “how” they learn. With AI, competency-based education offers educators a powerful tool to craft experiences that build both technical and durable skills. By integrating tools for self-awareness and emotional intelligence, we prepare students for the interpersonal and adaptability skills demanded by today’s world.?

Actionable Tips:?

• Integrate AI-Enhanced Personality and Emotional Intelligence Tools: AI-powered personality assessments help learners understand their own strengths and communication styles, building self-awareness and collaboration skills.?
• Create AI-Driven Reflective Practices: Journaling and self-reflection tools foster growth in emotional intelligence and resilience, critical for long-term success.?
• Certify Educators in AI-Driven Content Creation: AI training empowers educators to use data insights and develop more engaging, adaptive content tailored to individual learning needs.?

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Reinvent: Turning Vision into Lasting Change ???

Reinventing is where the real transformation takes place, turning these visionary ideas into action. Reinventing the learning experience with AI allows students and employees to receive real-time feedback, adapt their progress, and build skills that go beyond the technical. Emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and resilience are woven into this approach, creating a more holistic and future-ready learning culture.?

Actionable Tips:?

• Build Real-Time Competency Tracking Systems: Use AI to assess and provide feedback on skills mastery, helping students or employees track their progress in real time.?
• Embed Emotional Intelligence in Learning Objectives: Reinforce self-awareness, empathy, and adaptability within learning goals, making emotional intelligence a core competency.?
• Foster a Reflective Learning Culture: Encourage reflective practices that allow learners to track their academic and emotional growth, helping them cultivate a habit of continuous self-improvement.?

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?? Lessons from C-BEN and Higher Ed Change: Transforming Industries through Competency-Based Leadership ?

C-BEN’s leadership in CBE has set a standard for how industries can create transformative change. As someone who has been immersed in the world of CBE, from my years at Western Governors University to founding Higher Ed Change, I’ve seen how focusing on durable skills like emotional intelligence and adaptability can redefine not only education but any industry’s approach to growth and resilience.?

Key lessons from C-BEN—and my work at Higher Ed Change—offer a roadmap for leaders seeking transformational impact:?

• Vision and Commitment: Drive change with a clear vision, even if it challenges longstanding norms. C-BEN’s dedication to CBE demonstrates how visionary goals can redefine fields.?
• Innovation and Flexibility: Adopting new technologies and approaches, like AI in CBE, creates adaptable, personalized models that support ongoing growth and improvement.?
• Stakeholder-Centric Focus: Keep the learner, employee, or customer at the center. By prioritizing the development of durable skills, we can align outcomes with the needs of the modern world.?
• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Partnerships across education, business, and government create shared goals and support pathways from education to industry that benefit all stakeholders.?

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?? Building a Culture of Transformation through AI and the 3 R’s ?

In today’s fast-evolving world, AI in competency-based education offers more than academic value; it creates a pathway for building emotional intelligence, adaptability, and continuous growth. Through the new 3 R’s—Rethink, Reimagine, and Reinvent—we can create organizations that are resilient, responsive, and ready for the future. This transformation not only improves learning and development but also provides a model for industry-wide success.?

?? Reflection Questions?

If you’re exploring ways to integrate the 3 R’s, AI, and CBE principles into your campus, organization, or industry, consider these questions:?

• How can AI help us create an environment where each individual’s unique strengths and needs are fully supported??
• What would your organization look like if we fully embraced competency-based principles and AI for a more responsive, individualized experience??
• How can we empower our educators, instructional designers, or workforce trainers to use AI in developing adaptive content and supporting personalized learning paths??
• What lessons from C-BEN can we apply to drive transformational change and build a culture of growth and continuous improvement??

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If you found this article valuable, please like, share, or comment to help others discover these insights!??

To a Better You,?

Dr. Eric Goodman?

?? P.S.? Interested in transforming your organization or industry? Reach out to us for game-changing training on both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emotional Intelligence (EI). Optimize your business by mastering the integration of cutting-edge technology with the irreplaceable human touch. Visit https://innovateaisystems.com and contact me at [email protected].? Together we'll harness the power of EI and AI to lead with heart and vision in the digital era.?

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