Professor Mark Brown gave a keynote on micro-credential implementation at MicroCredX. He summarized the state of the literature on micro-credentials and identified three main issues. First, micro-credentials are being positioned for lifelong learning and employability but challenges remain regarding capacity, demand from small employers, and demonstrating benefits. Second, common business models being used include sole institutional models and partnerships. Third, gaps remain regarding the reality of implementation versus claims, meeting demand versus increasing supply, and understanding real benefits versus reported benefits. Brown concluded by emphasizing the need for institutions to adapt to changing needs rather than waiting passively.

1. Overview of Micro-credential Implementation:
Running to Catch a Moving Train
19th January 2022
Professor Mark Brown
Dublin City University
MicroCredX Keynote
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

2. “The light comes through
the gaps”
@mbrownz

3. https://irelandseducationyearbook.ie

4. • How are they being positioned?
• What business models are being used?
• Where are the gaps, tensions and challenges?
Micro-credentials…
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

5. State of the Art Literature Review on Micro-credentials

6. 6
https://www.dcu.ie/nidl
https://www.dcu.ie/nidl
87% of
sample already
in MC Observatory

7. Methodology…

8. 1. How are they being positioned?
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

9. (Brown et al., 2021)

10. MOOCs
Employers
HEIs
(Brown et al., 2021)

12. Level of interest in micro-credentials for employee training and development
(The Australian Industry Group, 2021)

14. Special Purpose Awards - Credit-bearing

15. (Brown et al., 2021)

16. What word best encapsulates your view?

17. Lifelong Learning
§
§
Employability
65%
48%
(Brown et al., 2021)

18. Equity
SDGS
(Brown et al., 2021)

19. 19
“Microcredentialing is an
outgrowth of the neoliberal
learning economy. In this
economy, education resembles a
commodity, a product, or service
marketed and sold like any other
commodity” (p. 2).

21. 2. What business models are being used?
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

22. (Presant, 2020)

23. Photo by Myriam Jessier on Unsplash
Sole Institution
(Brown et al., 2021)

25. 01/12/2021

26. OECD, 2021
Increasing Supply

27. Examples of Business Models
(Brown et al., 2021)

30. https://search.ecampusontario.ca/micro-credential-search

32. https://www.iua.ie/ourwork/learning-teaching/microcreds/

33. Implementation over 2022…

34. (Brown et al., 2021)

35. (Brown et al., 2021)

36. “Work towards a legal statute for alliances of
higher education institutions to allow them to pool
resources, capacities and their strengths, with an
Erasmus+ pilot as of 2022.”

37. €7m

38. 3. Where are the gaps, tensions
and challenges?
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

39. • State of the art vs. state of the actual
• State of the demand vs. state of the supply
• State of the real benefits vs. state of the claims
Three issues…

40. (Selvaratnam & Sankey, 2020)
https://www.acode.edu.au/pluginfile.php/8411/mod_resource/content/1/ACODE_MicroCreds_Whitepaper_2020.pdf
Capacity side…

41. OECD, 2021
Gender Dimension
Demand side…

42. OECD, 2021
Small Employers

43. Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Benefits side…

44. OECD (2017) Education at a Glance
Ireland

45. (Hollands & Kazi, 2019)
§

46. Studying “...the relationship between
MOOCs and labour market
outcomes is an almost uncharted
research area” (p.2).

47. A data desert!

48. Final remark…
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

49. Final remark…
“Neither a wise man [or woman] nor a brave man
[or woman] lies down on the tracks of history to
wait for the train of the future to run over him [or
her]”
(Dwight D. Eisenhower)
Photo by JC Gellidon on Unsplash

50. http://www.microcredentialssf.org

52. Go raibh maith
agaibh!
Thank you