Stranded Nomad: Expat Teachers and Micro-Credentials

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Most of us did not plan on spending the summer break within China’s borders. Unfortunately, however, the pandemic had other ideas. So, in the spirit of making the best of the situation, we’re looking at ways to put the six to eight weeks of free time to good use through skill development and resume building. Last week we looked at TEFL/TESOL certification. This week, I dive into the world of micro-credentials.

What the heck is a micro-credential? I’m so glad you asked. Micro-credentials – sometimes referred to as nano degrees – are college or graduate-level courses that focus on building a specific skill within a discipline. Over the past decade, teachers have consistently been expected to demonstrate a wider range of skills such as positive classroom management, working knowledge of STEM/STEAM programming, an ever-growing list of technological competencies, and much, much more. As such, micro-credentials are an invaluable tool to stay informed and gain a new skill set without the time or monetary commitment of returning to school for a full degree. Most course work will result in a certificate and many can be applied towards an advanced degree at a later time.

A quick search on the internet found everything from a three-course master’s level program in International Education from the American College of Education to a Higher Education Teaching Certificate from Harvard! If there is a topic you are interested in there’s probably a micro-credential for it from a reputable institution, and it’s probably currently offered online.

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Time Commitment: This varies pretty widely. A single-course credential could be as little as four to five weeks online, while a broader multi-course topic might take several months.

Cost: Also varies widely. I saw everything from RMB 3,240 (USD 500) to RMB 32,401 (USD 5,000). As you might expect, an Ivy League institution will charge significantly more than a strictly online platform.

The Pros and Cons

Why you should: There are several reasons to get a micro-credential, however, the most important is because you are genuinely interested in a topic. If there is an aspect of teaching that you want to learn more about, and you believe it will elevate your work and student outcomes, then go for it!

Another reason is that it’s a great way to test the waters of a new discipline. If you are considering switching to administration or working with special needs students, micro-credentials offer a low-commitment opportunity to see if your initial fascination holds and is worth pursuing an ongoing degree or change of job.

Finally, it never hurts to have additional skills on your resume. You never know what will catch the eye of a future employer or what a changing job landscape will require.

Why you shouldn’t: You’re looking for a quick or easy way to increase your income. Any college-level course worth its salt will be challenging, and if you’re not prepared to put in the work, your real-life skills won’t match your resume. Likewise, if you fail the course it could hurt your overall transcript GPA.

You already have a credential in the field of study. If you already have a Master of Educational Leadership, an additional certificate in leadership won’t do much for your resume or your skillset. Instead, seek out a topic that supports and adds to your existing knowledge base like workplace diversity or improving online educational outcomes.

Scams: Plenty of non-universities offer certificates. Some of them are legitimate organizations but it can be hard to tell which is which. So, in my personal opinion, these should be avoided. Not only is course work from a non-university questionable, but they also may not even be accredited and there is a good chance other schools will not give you credit for the completion. This could be an absolute waste if you decide to continue on to a full degree.

The bottom line is that you should only go through a reputable, well-known university, and as always, check to ensure they are accredited and in good standing. You will avoid most scams this way and ensure your hard work is recognized by other institutions.

Images: Unsplash

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