The document discusses micro-credentials and their growth. It begins by looking at why micro-credentials are becoming popular, such as for lifelong learning, employability, and equity goals. It then defines what a micro-credential is, distinguishing between different types based on factors like credit-bearing status and bundling. Finally, it examines how institutions have implemented micro-credentials, such as through sole institution programs, partnerships, and special purpose awards. The presentation ends by cautioning that micro-credentials should support broader educational goals rather than being a goal in themselves.

1. The Spinning of the Micro-credential:
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing?
21st April 2022
Professor Mark Brown
Dublin City University
@mbrownz
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

2. 25 M
in 2021

3. https://irelandseducationyearbook.ie
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

4. Growth of micro-credentials evidenced by Google search traffic
Is 2022 The Year of the Micro-credential?

5. Growth of micro-credentials evidenced by Google search traffic
Is 2022 The Year of the Micro-credential?

6. Photo by visuals on Unsplash
Is 2022 The Year of the Micro-credential?
https://www.menti.com/bjqb1n4rbi
The voting code 3824 9424

7. @mbrownz
1. Why micro-credentials?
2. What is a micro-credential?
3. How do you implement micro-credentials?
Questions…
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

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

9. 9
https://www.dcu.ie/nidl
87% of
sample already
in MC Observatory

10. (Brown et al., 2021)
54%

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

12. @mbrownz
1. Why micro-credentials?
Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

13. Why?

14. Why?

15. Why?

16. Why?

17. Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Sheepskin Effect
Why?

18. 18
11.1%
Why?

19. Why?

20. Lifelong Learning
§
§
Employability
65%
48%
(Brown et al., 2021)
Why?

21. Equity
SDGS
(Brown et al., 2021)
Why?

22. Why?

23. 23
“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).
Why?

24. Why?

25. @mbrownz
2. What is a micro-credential?
Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

26. Credit Bearing
Non Credit Bearing
Bundled Unbundled
Credential
Ecology
Macro-credentials
Formal Accredited
Degrees
(Brown et al., 2020)
What?

27. Credit Bearing
Non-Credit Bearing
Bundled Unbundled
Credential
Ecology
Macro-credentials
Formal Accredited
Degrees
Micro-credentials
Formal & Semi Formal
Accredited & Stackable
Nano-credentials
Informal & Non-Formal
Digital Badges & Certificates
Non-status Awards
Semi-Formal Courses
Non-Accredited
(Brown et al., 2020)
What?

28. What? (Presant , 2022)

29. TWIG, 2021
500,000 Canadians annually seek to complete St. John’s certificates
Since 1833
What?

30. What?

31. What?

32. “A micro-credential is a proof of learning outcomes
that a learner has acquired after a short learning experience.
These learning outcomes have been assessed
against transparent standards”
What?

33. (Brown et al., 2021)
What?

34. What word best encapsulates your view?
What?

35. @mbrownz
3. How do you implement micro-credentials?
Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

36. How?
(Presant, 2020)

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

38. Discounts
for students
from developing
countries
Bursaries
for students
from developing
countries
How?

39. 01/12/2021
How?

40. OECD, 2021
Increasing Supply
How?

41. How?

42. How?

43. https://search.ecampusontario.ca/micro-credential-search
How?

44. How?

45. Special Purpose Awards - Credit-bearing
How?

46. How?
€7m

47. @mbrownz
Final remarks…
Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

48. Micro-credentials
should be in the service of
big ideas,
not as a big idea
in itself!
Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash
@mbrownz
Photo by Sam Carter on Unsplash

49. Link To Poll…

50. Go raibh maith
agaibh!
Thank you