MC-Not Your Average PD

A look into the up and coming trend of micro-credentials

Image taken from https://kiakta.com/micro-credentialing-in-education/

What are Micro-Credentials?

While the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020 had many negative impacts, the sudden shift to online learning has created many positive and efficient opportunities for students-particularly those at the higher education level. Micro-credentials (MC) are one of the more rewarding products to be birthed from the pandemic.

A rather new concept, micro-credentials are essentially skill credentials that can be earned in short amounts of time to make someone a more eligible and legitimate candidate within their area of expertise. The Malaysian Qualification Agency (2020, as cited in Hidayah et al., 2021) defines MC as a “focus on a much smaller volume of learning than the conventional awards, which allow learners to complete the required study over a shorter duration.” While most degree programs are designed to offer learners a wealth of knowledge and skills to enter the workforce, MC is a way to add on enriched skills and strategies that optimize and enhance specifically targeted skills needed to succeed within particular areas of work.

“Micro-credentials help students master specialized subjects quickly and efficiently, boosting their resumes while learning new skills to jumpstart or advance their careers” (Making Sense of Micro-Credentials, 2020). Many higher education participants are using MCs to help build on specific skills that are not only needed within their workplace, but are of a particular interest to them individually. This creates an overlapping purpose for the reasoning behind achieving MCs, as seen in the image below.

(OECD, 2021)

MC or PD? That is the question!

Educators are using this technique to really hone in on their specialized areas of teaching to obtain additional qualifications through certificates and badges. This differs in part from our normal idea of professional development. Mainly because through MC, participants are required to show a level of competency of the skill before earning the badge. Whereas, when we attend a workshop, there is rarely follow up on whether the information was actually learned and applied. “Professional development courses often rely on short and standardized workshops; with MC, working adults will have opportunities to engage in self-paced learning which is connected to their daily jobs and later earn recognition in the form of digital badges for the completion of the modules (Acree, as stated in Hidayah, et al., 2021). Micro-credentialing increases the value of the candidate. As an educator, every badge I earn, only helps me operate under better pedagogy and skill within my classroom.

Image from https://www.shortcourses.com.au/ed/micro-credentials-the-future-of-learning-and-why-you-should-invest/

MC in the ET World

The idea behind micro-credentials is not new to educators, however I think it is imperative for policy makers and administrators to truly utilize the strong components presented through this type of lifelong learning. Educational technology plays a huge role in MC because many of the platforms in which these certifications are earned are offered online. This makes access to the information even more accessible and allows for learners to take the courses at their own pace and on their own time. By taking advantage of such a technological weapon, educators have the opportunity to truly use their strengths to enhance instruction within their classrooms.

MC Roadblocks

Of course with any new thing, there are limitations. Peter Greene (2019) pointed out a comical, yet relevant downfall to online learning to achieve a micro-credential by pointing out the fact that we’ve all had to watch videos over what to do if you touch someone else’s blood and then take a short quiz to receive our certificate. Deep down, we all know that we may or may not have worked on something else while the video played in the background. This kind of issue can also transfer over to the validity of receiving these qualifications online. Depending on the layout of the course, it would probably be entirely possible for a candidate to earn a badge without fully obtaining the skill.

MC Gets an A+ from Me

Overall, MC is most beneficial because it helps learners stay informed and up to date in an ever changing world. When used with integrity, earning micro-credential honors can only benefit a learner in their journey to truly sustain a life devoted to the constant gaining and growing of knowledge. “As higher education continues to innovate, learners are ultimately the winners—they have the choice in how they gain the necessary knowledge and skills to fuel their accomplishments” (Making Sense of Micro-Credentials, 2020). I feel like this trend is just taking off and is truly going to revolutionize the way many workforces operate, including education.

Additional Resources

https://kiakta.com/micro-credentialing-in-education/

References

Greene, P. (n.d.). Education Micro-Credentials 101: Why Do We Need Badges? Forbes. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2019/02/16/education-micro-credentials-101-why-do-we-need-badges/?sh=16798e902419

Hidayah, N., Ahmat, C., Arif, M., Bashir, A., Razali, A., & Kasolang, S. (2021). Micro-Credentials in Higher Education Institutions: Challenges and Opportunities. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v17i3.14505

Making Sense of Micro-credentials. (n.d.). Western Governors University. Retrieved February 21, 2023, from https://www.wgu.edu/blog/making-sense-of-micro-credentials2004.html#close

OECD. (2021, September 22). Micro-credential innovations in higher education: Who, What and Why? OECD ILibrary. https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/f14ef041-en.pdf?expires=1677004431&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=D7CCAA87C0165FCD3E7A1F4260FFAF88