Learning must become more flexible and self-determined! To achieve this, many continuing education professionals are increasingly relying on micro-formats. Find out in this article why micro-credentials are not only useful at universities but also for educational providers and larger companies.
Definition: What "Micro-Credential" Means
In the world of adult education, many things are becoming increasingly granular: Microlearning is the keyword that has long been a topic of interest in this blog. We first read the term "micro-credential" in the blink.it editorial team in the Trend Monitor 2022: In the study, 77% of respondents agreed that micro-credentials would generally enhance the attractiveness of informal learning. But what lies behind the term?
A micro-credential (also known as microcredential, microdegree, or nanodegree) is both a designation for a certificate of participation in a compact educational course as well as a designation for a compact educational course itself.
Wikipedia
A micro-credential is therefore a mini-certificate for a learning unit or a small course. What this concept can mean for educational providers and corporate trainers is summarized in a concise profile.
With micro-credentials, learning can be standardized and simultaneously participant-driven.
Examined: Profile of Micro-Credentials
What is a Micro-Credential?
In short, a micro-credential is a certificate for a specific skill. The contents and the corresponding course are kept as concrete and brief as possible.
It is important that a micro-credential is generally valid and that the contents are therefore easy to understand and comparable.
Why are Micro-Credentials Useful for Learning?
Essentially, every certificate has two purposes that run in parallel:
Incentive and reward for the learner, for example, through gamification
External, formal confirmation of a level of knowledge or a skill
Certificates for granular (“micro”) learning units are particularly accessible and practice-oriented. They aim to increase the efficiency of education and make learning easier and more self-directed in general.
Where Can I Use Micro-Credentials?
Originally, micro-credentials were intended for use at universities: Degrees were to become internationally comparable and more flexible. Perhaps you remember the political debate surrounding the Bologna Process at the beginning of the millennium. Across Europe, university degrees were to be made comparable. Mobility, international competitiveness, and employability were the main objectives of the international shift to bachelor/master.
In recent years, more and more educational providers and larger companies have recognized the value of micro-credentials. The principle that makes university degrees comparable in the EU can also work in companies with multiple branches!
Which Concepts are Related to Micro-Credentials?
The world of microlearning feels like it is being expanded daily by new learning methods. They all rely on similar concepts that are related:
Lifelong learning
Informal learning
Self-directed learning
All these learning concepts share a common idea: What is learned should be anchored long-term and successfully applied in practice.
For Which Topics are Micro-Credentials Suitable?
The mini-certificates are particularly well-suited for hard skills, as these are particularly easy to compare. For example, language skills, knowledge of office programs, or similar.
For Which Participants are Micro-Credentials Suitable?
In principle, micro-credentials are suitable for anyone who wants to learn and be certified in a hard skill. However, some target groups are particularly well-suited, as indicated by the SVEB (Swiss Association for Continuing Education) in the context of a project:
Due to the low threshold of the offerings, professionals assume that especially low-qualified individuals, those without vocational qualifications, and disadvantaged population groups such as migrants and refugees could be potential target groups for micro-credentials.
SVEB on the Project "Micro-Credentials"
Practical Tips for Companies and Educational Providers
As an institute or educational provider, you could offer courses with micro-credentials that allow for a very specific certification. The aforementioned target groups, such as those with low educational standards, are particularly interesting here. However, some courses are also thematically well-suited for micro-credentials, such as language courses.
For companies with multiple branches, the micro-credential concept is particularly intriguing: it unites employees from different locations, potentially even internationally, through uniform certificates – that is, micro-credentials. A specific topic, a certificate, for everyone everywhere and universally valid.
What do you think, are micro-credentials a way to advance your continuing education? Feel free to send us a message!
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