The value of microcredentials: The employer's perspective

Gauthier, Thomas

doi:10.1002/cbe2.1209

Cited by 43 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…The strong employer focus on the importance of generic skills and competencies in graduate recruitment is evidenced through our survey data. This focus is encouraging, as a wider range of organisations shift to a more competency-based recruitment approach to source individuals (Gauthier, 2020). Digital badges, unlike degree certificates, capture this information and, therefore, are of interest and value to recruiters (Bowen & Thomas, 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital badges: Pinning down employer challenges

Perkins

Pryor

2021

JTLGE

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Digital badges hold considerable potential for employers and recruiters, as they evidence accomplishments of skills and competencies at a more granular level than a traditional degree certificate. Badges are a validated, online graphical representation of an achievement, which is accomplished by undertaking criteria-based learning activities. Despite the established educational benefits of badges in higher education, limited research has been conducted into employer awareness, acceptance, and use of digital badges in recruitment practices. To address this research gap, a mixed method study combining quantitative and qualitative data collection was conducted before and during the COVID-19 health pandemic. Approximately 700 employers were emailed and invited to complete the initial survey and 73 responded. One of the major survey findings is that 97% of respondents were unfamiliar with the concept of digital badges. Significantly, however, despite the lack of employer awareness there was no widespread resistance to the concept of badges, but a strong appeal for further clarification of their value, credibility, and security. Analysis of the data reveals stronger partnership working, between the higher education sector and employers, is pivotal to establish effective digital credentialing systems. Recommendations for higher education institutions have emerged from this study, which aim to balance pedagogical digital badge practice with employer needs. Such synergies are crucial to address the changing skills agenda, to prepare students to thrive in physical and virtual work environments. Given the paucity of research in this field, further studies are warranted, to investigate the impact of digital badges on the employer community.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital badges: Pinning down employer challenges

Perkins

Pryor

2021

JTLGE

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“…Finally, researchers may consider the possibilities for students demonstrating learning on course objectives to transfer directly to employer microcredentials (Gauthier, 2020). With shrinking institutional resources, increased return on investments stemming from the direct correspondence between classroom learning and future employers may be a marketing tool for admissions and program sustainability.…”

Section: Additional Re S E Archmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alternative grading practices: An entry point for faculty in competency‐based education

Townsley

Schmid

2020

J of Competency-Based Ed

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Due to a lack of buy‐in from multiple stakeholder groups, institutions of higher learning may struggle to reorient their entire course and program offerings to embrace the full breadth of competency‐based education. One such way of overcoming these systematic issues to make incremental progress toward competency‐based education is to consider practices such as grading that single professors can implement without the need of full institutional support. Few college instructors are likely to have received any formal grading training. As such, they may rely on institutional norms and their personal experiences as students. In response to historical grading challenges in higher education, some faculty members have adopted models working against the status quo such as mastery grading, specifications grading, and standards‐based grading, which all promote students demonstrating their learning on criterion‐referenced tests in a more flexible time frame. The purpose of this paper is to describe alternative forms of grading as an entry point for faculty incrementally progressing toward competency‐based education axioms in higher education. The authors recommend a multiple‐step course design framework and areas for future research.

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“…Micro-credentials are used to meet evolving skill sets and changing professional demands. Employers are also using them to encourage continued professional development and to address emerging issues in the workplace (Guathier, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning to Fly: Development and Design of a Micro-Credentialing System for an Educator Preparation Program in the Absence of a Required Educational Technology Course

Clausen

2021

TechTrends

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Technology integration within instructional practices is an essential element in the preparation of teachers. However, expectations that a single course or hopes that technology infusion will spontaneously occur are not enough to prepare teacher candidates to integrate technology in meaningful ways. In the absence of a required educational technology course for all initial licensure candidates, an educator preparation program in the Midwest sought creative solutions to meet accreditation and clinical placement expectations regarding candidate preparation to integrate technology. This report from the field discusses the iterative process to develop a comprehensive micro-credentialing system aligned with the ISTE standards for educators. The micro-credentials provide candidates opportunities to apply and model technology use within courses and throughout their program. Feedback from stakeholders indicated both possibilities and potential challenges in the adoption of the system. This feedback has led to further development of the micro-credentialing system.

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The value of microcredentials: The employer's perspective

Cited by 43 publications

References 13 publications

Digital badges: Pinning down employer challenges

Digital badges: Pinning down employer challenges

Alternative grading practices: An entry point for faculty in competency‐based education

Learning to Fly: Development and Design of a Micro-Credentialing System for an Educator Preparation Program in the Absence of a Required Educational Technology Course

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