Students now have a powerful new tool to build and demonstrate their skills: microcredentials. But what are they and why are they important?
Also known as digital badges, micro-credentials are collected through applications, websites or data systems. They typically demonstrate shorter, more specialized learning than a traditional diploma, degree, or certificate, explains Brookings, a political research group.
The environments in which micro-credentials can be obtained can also be different: for example, in work or community settings instead of an academic institution.
“A student can collect badges for volunteering at a food bank, completing an online course, or attending a coding workshop,” explains the Metaliteracy Learning Collaborative in their video of YouTube on digital badges.
other types of digital credentialsaccording to Brookings, can be “nano degrees” – involving learning specific skills to get a job and learning based on competencies that demonstrate practical knowledge and skills.
How do microcredentials work?
A digital credential it is a piece of data that contains information about a learning achievement that someone has obtained. It can include the provider of the training, a description of the learning, when the credential was issued and who received it, explains the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Students can use these digital badges to easily share and verify your learning. For example, through social networks, a virtual portfolio or a CV.
The Metaliteracy Learning Collaborative describes the concept of a “badge backpack” in which students collect these microcredentials. In other words, these digital badges will always be connected to you, and you can take them with you on your journey to lifelong learning.
According to Brookings, the best of microcredentials is that “they can reach people of all ages, educational levels, socioeconomic and racial/ethnic groups, and industry sectors.”
They are also good in a skills crisis, because students can improve their skills in months instead of years.
Advantages and disadvantages of micro-credentials
One of the main advantages of microcredentials is that students can use them to “stack” new modules and skills on top of prior education and training, adds Brookings.
They can be more affordable and flexible than traditional higher education courses. Students can also study and earn digital badges at their own pace.
Microcredentials could also create new barriers to learning and equality, Brookings warns. One of the potential challenges to be overcome is to ensure that governments recognize these digital badges as steps on a learning path that could lead to the equivalent of a degree. This is necessary so that students can transfer their microcredentials between institutions without having to repeat the course.
In a world where most workers do not have a higher education degreemicro-credentials are critical to the future world of work, adds Brookings.
The future world of work
In his report on the Future of Employment 2020the World Economic Forum confirms that the Covid-19 has accelerated the arrival of future of workespecially with regard to automation and the adoption of new technologies.
Employers anticipate that about four out of ten workers will need a skills retraining six months or less, according to the report. And more than 90% of companies expect employees to learn new skills on the job, a big jump from 65% in 2018.
At its 50th annual meeting, held in January 2020, the Forum launched the Reskilling Revolutionan initiative to provide 1 billion people with better education, skills and jobs by 2030.
The initiative leverages existing coalitions and business-led projects to drive change in education and training systems.
This includes the initiative Education 4.0 of the Forum that identifies and proposes reforms in primary and secondary education and a network of national accelerators to promote the learning of new skills and the improvement of skills.
* Victoria Masterson She is a senior writer for the WEF on training content issues.