1. The Rise and Recognition
of Micro-credentials
28-11-2022
Micro-credentials in context, EADTU 28 November 2022
Jenneke Lokhoff
Senior Policy Officer, Nuffic

2. Today
• Context: the STACQ project
• Introducing the “Micro-Evaluator”
• AR25

3. Stacking Credits and the Future of the Qualification (2020-
2022)
• Co-funded by Erasmus+, 8 project partners
• Builds on e-VALUATE en PARADIGMS
• Objective: support HEIs evaluation of micro-credentials

4. STACQ publication
• Context and policy
developments.
• Practical response to the
question of recognition.
• Stackability

5. A two-track approach for
recognition
1. A procedure in line with
the LRC
2. RPL procedure

6. 1. The STACQ micro -
evaluator
Image by Cy. on Flickr, CC-BY-SA

7. Trying out the “Micro-Evaluator”
https://www.nuffic.nl/en/subjects/rec
ognition-projects/the-micro-evaluator

8. Profile: Hank
• Presents a micro-
credential.
• Applies for bachelor in
health sciences.
• Wants exemption for the
course “nutrition and
health”.
Profile: Betty
• Presents a micro-
credential.
• Applies for master
“sustainable food
systems”.
• Misses knowledge
sustainable food systems
in current bachelor

9. E-Valuate recognition method
Traffic light model
How robust is a criterion?
Practitioner’s
Guide, p. 14.

10. Mixed results in the “micro-evaluator”
• Recognition is dependant on the context.
• Flexible recognition approach.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

11. Step 1

12. Step 1. QA

13. Step 1. QA (2)

14. Step 2. Verification

15. Step 3. Level

16. Step 3. Level

17. Step 4. Learning outcomes

18. Step 5. Workload

19. Step 6. Testing

20. Step 7. Identification

21. Results….
3 options:
• All green
• All red
• Mixed

22. Completely green?
• Recognition is possible in line
with the LRC.

23. (Mostly) red?
• Recognition in line with LRC
most likely not possible.

24. Mix of colours?
• Can you prioritize certain
criteria?
• Can you accept that other
criteria or not/partially met?

25. Recommendations from the STACQ publication
(selection)
• Develop fit for purpose RPL procedures to recognize micro-
credentials from informal providers in a time-efficient way.
• Make sure the information about your recognition procedures for
micro-credentials is easily accessible for learners and other
stakeholders.
Food for thought/ discussion

26. 2. AR25

27. AR25 and microcredentials
• Erasmus+ KA3 NARIC project
• Promote the use of the micro-evaluator

28. AR25 and microcredentials (2)
• Conference for higher education institutions
• Evaluation of app by HEIs
• Interested? Let us know!
• Recommendations to update the app

29. Thank you for your attention!
Questions? Comments?
Mail: jlokhoff@nuffic.nl

30. Relevant links
• The Rise and Recognition of Micro-credentials: Stacking Modules and the Future
of the Qualification
• The Micro-Evaluator
• Practitioner’s guide for recognition of e-learning
• Proposal for a Council Recommendation on a European approach to micro-
credentials for lifelong learning and employability
• Rome Ministerial Communiqué
• Microbol project