Micro-credential in Higher Education Teachers Digital Upskilling
Micro-credential has become a popular way of learning amidst the global digitalisation culture today. How can micro-credential be applied in the higher education context to empower the education workforce? What are the key concerns and mechanisms?
Visions of UNESCO:
Towards a common definition of
micro-credentials
Micro-credentials are increasingly promoted as a new and more flexible way of recognizing knowledge, skills and competences[1].
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What is a Micro-credential?
A micro-credential is a short, competency-based recognition that allows an educator to demonstrate mastery in a particular area[2].
Fostering a Lifelong Learning Culture
An effective culture of lifelong learning is key to ensuring that everyone has the knowledge, skills and competences they need to thrive in their personal and professional lives[3].
Why is there the need to consider the application of Micro-credential in higher education teacher professional development?
A large number of MOOCs users are teachers. However, compared with general online courses, micro-credential courses offer a more focused, granular, assessed, certified learning experience. Firstly, micro-credentials can be integrated into higher education ecosystems to ensure quality delivery and recognition while avoiding learning fragmentation[4]. Secondly, micro-credentials are flexible access, cost-efficiency and higher relevance to practice in teacher training programmes[5]. Third, the potential for non-traditional content providers to contribute to the national learning ecosystem is significant[6]. It is crucial to ensure that micro-credentials are accessible to all teachers regardless of their location, socio-economic status, or prior educational background, and that they are affordable and sustainable over time alongside teachers' professional progression.
Knowing the IIOE Micro-certification Programme
The IIOE Micro-certification is specially designed for the higher education workforce, providing an inclusive environment for teaching personnel, leaders, and learning support staff to initiate digital upskilling and professional development following various flexible learning pathways.
The five key characteristics of the IIOE Micro-certification are:
Four Key Concerns in Micro-credentialing for Higher Education Teachers
Through in-depth consultation with IIOE partner universities in Africa and Asia, IIOE delivers insights regarding the development and implementation for stakeholders to consider when planning a Micro-certification Programme in higher education teacher training.
Q1
The Supply-Demand Gap in Resource Development
With differences in digital readiness and allocation of resources, gaps exist for different countries and institutions to gather quality resources for teachers' digital capacity-building. How to provide quality just-in-time learning more effectively in joint force is a question that all stakeholders need to consider.
Q2
Localised Competency Framework for Teachers' Digital Capacity-building
A competency framework is key to supporting digital competency building for the teaching personnel and ultimately supporting higher education digital transformation. Institutions need to validate the appropriateness, rationality and applicability of competency specifications according to local needs and challenges, in embedding these competencies to teacher training effectively.
Q3
Technical Readiness & Transparency about Open Learning Platforms
Acceptance and recognition of teaching personnel's professional learning hours and outcomes, evaluation criteria, and content development guide that allows multiple parties to contribute, and, more importantly, proceeding with transparency about learner data on an open platform are some key considerations to observe in its implementation.
Q4
Quality Assurance Approaches based on Diverse Collaborations
Structured toolkits and evidence-based learning designs embedded into the platform lay the foundation for a practical Quality Assurance (QA) mechanism. QA in micro-credentialing adds value to accreditation, and private sectors need to engage in broader and diverse collaborations with HEIs to enhance the professionalism of certification-based learning and expand the possibilities of mutual recognition of competencies.
As the flagship programme of UNESCO-ICHEI and an open learning platform, IIOE is dedicated to empowering universities and higher education professionals worldwide to enhance their knowledge, skills, and competences facing the digitalisation trend. Click iioe.org to know more about the IIOE Micro-certification details.
References
[1] Towards a common definition of micro-credentials（UNESCO, 2022）
[2] NEA Official Website https://www.nea.org/resource-library/micro-credentials-resources-affiliates
[3] A European Approach to Micro-credentials (European Commission, 2021)
[4] Treacy, B., & Luke, C. (2019). Micro-credentials and the Future of Professional Learning for Educators. Washington, DC: Alliance for Excellent Education.
[5] Kabaker, J., & Barbour, M. G. (2019). Micro-credentials and Education Policy in the United States: Issues and Opportunities. Journal of Online Learning Research, 5(2), 139-157.
[6] Steed, A., & D'Amico, M. (2018). Making micro-credentials work for learners, employers and providers. European Commission: Joint Research Centre, Institute for Prospective Technological Studies.
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