MICRO CREDENTIALS

LIFELONG LEARNING REDEFINED

In our continuing series of articles focusing on ‘Assessment 3.0’ started by Steffen Sommer, Uma Shankar Singh looks at the potential of micro-credentials.

New needs in a post-Covid world

Ever wondered if there were any positive effects of the Covid-19 pandemic? Surprisingly, perhaps, there are a number of possibilities. Perhaps advances in online learning? Environmental improvements? or behavioral and lifestyle changes? A case can be made for all three, but behind the scenes, something else also rose to prominence unexpectedly: micro credentials.

Even though the idea of micro-credentials was not new in 2020, online learning ushered in a revolution for organizations which wanted individuals to continue developing their skills instead of resting on the laurels of completing a major course. Ongoing adaptation and skill acquisition in order to advance career, employability, and personal growth, was being seen as increasingly important. Prominent political initiatives like the European Skills Agenda and statements issued by UNESCO were helping to form a consensus that it was necessary to advance skills and knowledge in small chunks in order to promote useful learning globally.

What are Micro-credentials?

The term ‘micro-credentials’ refers to targeted certification that a learner can achieve in a specific, often narrow area of knowledge or skill. For example LinkedIn Learning or Udemy provide specific courses to individuals in several fields of STEAM learning to help participants to dive deeper into 3D FDM Printing. Unlike traditional degree courses, which requires an individual to undertake years of study and cover a broad range of subjects, micro-credentials are earned through short, focused educational experiences, normally offered in the form of specialized modules, digital badges, or certificates, mostly completed via online platforms. Some of their main features are flexibility, modularity, and accessibility, which makes them ideal for adult learners and working professionals seeking to upskill or advance their careers in new ways. However there is no reason why more courses could not be made available to full-time international school students as well.

Advantages

The advantages of this approach are straightforward

Flexibility: If an individual has a full-time job, at school, or can’t devote time due to other obligations or disrupted schedules, micro-credentials offer the flexibility to complete courses at their own pace.
Targeted skill development: With the advent of AI in a range of industries and evolving disciplines like digital marketing, data analysis and sustainability micro-credentials address emerging, in-demand skills allowing learners to quickly respond to changes in their field.
Affordability: There are many low-cost or free programs being offered. This has helped to democratize learning opportunities and to support equal access.
‘Stackability’: There are numerous universities around the world which offer learners the chance to accumulate multiple micro-credentials over time, which then count toward formal qualifications or workplace requirements.
Industry alignment: When micro credentials are developed, they are often created in consultation with employers and industry experts, ensuring they are immediately relevant to the skills sets that the company or industry requires and reiterated on the go for labor market recognition.

Challenges

Despite clear benefits, there are challenges:

Quality Assurance: One of the biggest concerns is having consistent quality standards in place. Organizations like The European Commission are developing frameworks to promote transparency, reliability and comparability between the offered micro-credentials.
Recognition: Another challenge is that they need to be more widely accepted by employers, educational institutions and governments to reach their full potential.
Integration: Constructing more pathways using micro-credentials that lead to high school, degree level, or workplace certification is required to enhance their utility and value.

The future

As modern careers evolve and require continuous lifelong learning, it is safe to say that the role of micro-credentials is likely to expand, and there is no reason why this should not happen in schools. The European Skills Agenda and UNESCO’s recommendations reiterate the importance of making micro-credentials part of mainstream assessment and workforce development. Micro-credentials should not be seen as mere ‘digital badges’ for modular courses or competency-based assessments. They have the capacity to drive how people will learn, how they will work and grow in a changing world. With the effects of shorter attention time spans under the microscope, micro-credentials can provide serious evidence of proficiency and updated skills that can be readily shared with employers.

If we talk about ‘lifelong learning’ there is all the more reason for taking a micro-credentialing seriously. Moreover, it is a revolution that should start at school and perhaps provide one pathway to bring about Steffen Sommer’s vision of ‘Assessment 3.0’.