Micro-Credentials

Digital badges or micro-credentials is a way to recognize professionals who demonstrate skills and competence in specific areas of their field. Educators have been frustrated with current assessment practices; as a result, digital badges are catching their attention. Digital badges are the recognition of a skill, knowledge acquired by completing a course, module, or a project.

There are four components for digital badges to work: 

1. Creating badges

2. Achieving badges

3. Recognizing badges

4. Seeking those who have completed a badge

Many open courses are free, offer no credits, making digital badges a way to showcase professional development. Teachers wanting to be recognized for professional development do so through post-graduate studies or attending seminars using antiquated Powerpoints.

This is where micro-credentials enter the picture as they can be structured to fit the teachers' wants and needs. Earning a digital badge fits the teacher’s daily classroom work with samples of student work, presenting videos, and other class projects. This way, teachers can post the digital badges earned on Linkedin, their blog, or online portfolio.

Something New

Digital badges are rather new on the educational scene; many states are moving slowly to make the change. One reason, the research surrounding micro-credentials is not there, and some districts are opting to conduct their own research.

The state of Tennessee launched its own pilot 3-year research program in October 2016. Sixty veteran and novice teachers began working towards completing at least three micro-credentials in the first year of the project.

In year 2, Tennessee would like to see at least 5,000 teachers attain digital badges and draft new policy allowing micro-credentials to be a part of teacher licensing. In the third year, Tennessee's goal is to reach all educators and establish standard state content for attaining micro-credentials.

Kathleen Airhart, the deputy education commissioner for the state of Tennessee, said micro-credentials, "Should be a support for teachers, not a hindrance." Florida is another state that created a pilot program for educators to focus on earning a growth-mindset micro-credential.

Florida department of education administrators prepared for a couple of hundred applicants, but 2,500 teachers applied for the program.

It is time Efficient

A positive result gleaned from teachers being awarded digital badges as proof of professional development is the time required to attain one. Teachers no longer have to spend hours of their time in post-grad classes for re-certification.

Digital badges allow teachers to showcase their abilities as they teach by videotaping classes or photographing projects or workshops. Teachers don't lose precious time away from the classroom, and their students are not even aware their teacher is a learner as well.

Some districts are rewarding teachers with pay increases based on the number of digital badges they earn. The micro-credential incentive recognizes teachers for the work they do in the classroom, treats them as professionals, and allows them to advance in their fields.

Sources:

Richard Ferdig and Kristine Pytash. 2014. There Is A Badge For That. Tech&Learning, 

Madeline Will. 2019. Teachers Customize Professional Development Through Microcredentials.  Education Week  

 Digital Promise on YouTube - https://microcredentials.digitalpromise.org/