Introduction to Micro-Credentials
Definition, History, Best Practices
4. Where Do Micro Credentials Fit?
Focus
Micro credentials are really about specific skills and competencies that are in demand so the credential is smaller than a certificate - which is why the term "micro-certification" is often used.
Micro-credentials can be stacked to result in a bigger certification
Stakeholders
Key stakeholders for formal education:
- learners,
- employers,
- providers and
- policy makers
(Oliver, 2019). For micro-credentials the stakeholders are arguably the same.
Surfnet (2019) a Dutch organization lists the stakeholders for digital badges as:
- badge holder,
- badge issuer
- enquirer (assessor) (Surfnet, 2019)
The typical learner is well educated (already has a degree) average age is 36 and median salary is $50,000 US. (Kato et al, 2020). Their main motivation is acquire new skills and could include extrinsic, intrinsic and practical factors (ibid).
Micro-credentials complements prior education , experience & training (ibid)
The following image from the OECD (Kato et al) report shows how alternative credentials fit with other qualifications:
