Digital Promise recently conducted research to explore the characteristics, motivators, and enablers of educators in the United States who have earned more than 10 micro-credentials —competency-based digital credentials that recognize a person’s competence in a specific skill or set of skills. Research-backed, personalized, on-demand, and shareable, micro-credentials leverage badging technology to issue digital certifications that verify the demonstration of competence in a skill or set of skills. This research included 98 survey respondents and 18 interviewees.
To earn micro-credentials, learners, such as educators, must implement new skills in their workplace and show evidence of this implementation. Educators use micro-credentials to acquire specific skills to impact students’ learning, advance their careers, and collaborate. The educators who participated in this research shared their advice for others considering earning a micro-credential. Their advice surfaced the following themes:
The participants advised those pursuing their first micro-credential to review the rubric beforehand and use the resources and research provided. The rubric outlines how learners will be assessed to determine if they are awarded the micro-credential. The participants emphasized the importance of strategically engaging with the content and reviewing the micro-credential to ensure success. Reading and understanding the rubric before starting is important for understanding the overall assessment requirements. Additionally, a careful review of the micro-credential research and resources will provide a better understanding of what is being asked of the learner. Organizing the submission into three parts—introduction, evidence, and reflection—helps to ensure each part is addressed.
“Read the rubric because the rubric is fantastic and it is true to the assessment.”
Participants emphasized not rushing through the process since the learning experience’s transformative potential unfolds over time. When time is taken to fully engage in the demonstration of learning, the experience and outcomes are much richer. Choosing quality over speed gives way to genuine reflection and efforts to improve areas of growth.
“The micro-credential process is going to be more fulfilling and more fruitful when you take your time with it and you do it with fidelity.”
The participants also advised that the power of micro-credentials comes in earning multiple. They do not believe earning one or two micro-credentials makes an impact compared to earning multiple or completing a micro-credential pathway.
“I think the power comes in multiple micro-credentials or a pathway. And so the advice is jump in, start with one, and then do it again because that momentum is where the power comes.”
Participants recommended starting strategically with a relevant micro-credential—for example, topics that align with strengths, areas for growth, personal interests, or what is happening in their classroom. This creates confidence to earn a micro-credential before pursuing one about an unfamiliar topic.
“Start on a micro-credential that they feel like is their strength. Pick something that aligns with your interest and your strength to start the work on and experience it so that when you’re ready to take risks, you already have that foundation on how the process works.”
The participants emphasize the importance of peer collaboration. They advised speaking with others who have earned micro-credentials and can share the process expectations and time requirements. Collaborating with others helps clarify expectations and identify practices to fulfill the micro-credential.
“I just think that support of even analyzing what the micro-credential is looking for a lot of times is eye opening when you talk to someone and you realize you might be doing some of those elements already, and you might just need to use other resources or research that they give you to make it the best that it can be.”
Overall, participants agreed that pursuing micro-credentials is a worthwhile, satisfying learning experience that has a long-term impact on their careers. Their advice centered around reviewing the rubrics and using the resources and research provided; making the most of the learning experience; pursuing multiple micro-credentials; choosing micro-credentials meaningful to them; and communicating with other learners pursuing micro-credentials.
Digital Promise has been a pioneer in competency-based micro-credentials and has more than 10 years of experience in supporting organizations with their micro-credentialing needs. Check out this eBook, The Role of Micro-Credentials in Lifelong Learning and Development: Empowering Learners, Empowering Organizations, a comprehensive resource accessible to all interested in understanding micro-credentials. If you are interested in learning more about Digital Promise’s micro-credential services, please contact us at microcredentials@digitalpromise.org.
