Micro-credentials are becoming increasingly popular due to demands from employers and students for flexible, affordable, and specialized learning opportunities. While some see micro-credentials as a fad, proponents argue they can support lifelong learning goals by providing credentials for individual skills and competencies. Recent studies show growing interest from employers in candidates who earn micro-credentials to supplement their formal degrees.

1. Why the Focus on Micro-credentials?
The Bigger Picture
29th November 2021
Professor Mark Brown
Dublin City University
Photo by Kyle Glenn on Unsplash

2. 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)

3. 3
“The so-called ‘microcredentialing
craze’ could be no more than a
fad, marketing hype, or another
case of ‘learning innovation
theater.’
New Learning Economy

5. We completed a major literature review
on contract to European Commission

6. Lifelong Learning
§
§
Employability
65%
48%

9. OECD, 2021
Increasing Supply

13. September 2021 - $5.6m

14. (AACU, 2015)

17. 17
Why?
11.1%

19. 19

20. 20
https://www.dcu.ie/nidl
https://www.dcu.ie/nidl