The Digital Promise Micro-credential Platform enables learners to demonstrate their skills and competencies through a rigorous, high-quality, yet low-cost process. Over the last 10 years, improvements in technology have supported learners with increased transferability and interoperability of their badges. This allows their hard-earned credentials to move with them through their careers instead of staying within the organization in which they were earned.
Learners can apply for competency-based micro-credentials on our platform by submitting a portfolio of evidence reviewed and awarded by subject matter experts. The awards are signified by Open Badges, a verifiable, trustworthy, and portable digital credential that adheres to the 1EdTech standard.
Over the last year, much of the Micro-credential Platform development work has centered on updating the Open Badges technology so learners can have long-term portability and data sovereignty of their micro-credential awards. With a new update, learners will experience a more streamlined shift in how they log in to the platform and how their Open Badges are issued.
The Micro-credential Platform does not require a login to browse or review micro-credential content. Logging in is only required when a learner is ready to submit their evidence to earn a micro-credential. During the platform maintenance this month, learners will experience the new login system, with the opportunity to use the Microsoft or Google Single Sign On if that is their preference. Learner accounts remain the same; it’s merely the login process that is changing.
Later this fall, the backend system used to publish micro-credentials and issue Open Badges will be updated. Over the last year, the Badging Coalition Advisory Board and the Badging Coalition have shared ecosystem, audience, and stakeholder insights into what is necessary for the continued success of badging initiatives. Likewise, we have conducted deep research with platform users who have earned many micro-credentials to better understand user needs. These perspectives have informed our platform development priorities to continually release features that enhance the learner experience.
While we continuously improve our platform, submitting, assessing, and awarding (or denying) a micro-credential remains the stalwart, proven, focused experience that learners have appreciated for the last decade.
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.
