Science teacher professional development is most effective when it is practical and connected to what teachers are doing in the classroom. Effective professional development for science teachers helps them strengthen instruction, support inquiry, use technology purposefully, and make science more meaningful for students. Supporting science teachers also supports student curiosity, problem-solving, engagement, and confidence.
Friday, July 3, 2026
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Babson Launches Teaching Certificate for Educators as Higher Education Evolves
As colleges and universities increasingly rely on industry practitioners and other nontraditional instructors, demand is growing for accessible, practical training that helps educators succeed in the classroom. To help meet that need, Babson College is launching a new Higher Education Teaching Certificate through Babson Academy and the College’s digital learning platform, Babson On-Demand™, designed to help educators teach with greater intention, confidence, and impact. According to the American Association of University Professors, 68% of U.S. faculty members now serve in part-time or non-tenure-track roles, underscoring the growing need for practical teaching preparation for adjunct faculty, industry practitioners, and other educators entering the classroom.
https://entrepreneurship.babson.edu/babson-teaching-certificate/
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
California gave every student in prison a laptop. How community colleges are using them - Ella Carter-Klauschie, Cal Matters
California prisons have given 30,000 laptops to incarcerated students. Inmates say using technology prepares them to enter the workforce. As community colleges start replacing correspondence courses by mail with online-only classes, students and professors debate whether this type of learning is any more effective. In the past three years, the prison system spent $23.2 million to distribute 30,000 laptops to all incarcerated students. Almost half of those went to the 13,000 inmates enrolled in community college, who are increasingly doing their coursework online. The growth of online learning marks a shift away from correspondence courses, where inmates receive assignments in physical packets, fill them out, and mail them back to colleges, with limited feedback. While some community colleges still offer those types of courses, the laptops are starting to replace the packets.
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Can microcredentials drive new demand for higher ed? - Alcino Donadel, University Business
Higher education leaders, employers and students agree that microcredentials are critical for strengthening enrollment, improving workforce readiness and modernizing curriculum amid rapid AI-driven change. A new Coursera survey of more than 3,500 respondents worldwide found broad support for embedding industry-recognized credentials into degree pathways as institutions face mounting pressure to improve career outcomes and adapt curricula more quickly. In many cases, U.S. respondents expressed greater confidence in microcredentials than their global peers in India, the United Kingdom and other countries.
Monday, June 29, 2026
Free and Affordable Platforms for Issuing Online Badges to Students in 2026 - Marc Berman, Programming Insider
Digital credentials, micro-credentials, and digital badges have become the standard way universities, training providers, and event organizers verify and share what students have learned. The platforms that issue them vary widely in price, features, and flexibility, and Credly, while well known, charges a minimum of around $2,500 for 500 badges with no published pricing and no free tier, putting it out of reach for most smaller institutions and programs. In this guide, we reviewed the best free and affordable platforms for issuing digital badges and micro-credentials to students in 2026, with Certifier ranked first. Whether you run a university program, a professional training course, or an online certification, this list covers the options that deliver real value without locking you into annual contracts or opaque pricing.
Friday, June 26, 2026
Work-based Learning: Who Gets Paid? - Nichole Torpey-Saboe & Akua Amankwah-Ayeh, Strada
Work-based learning is linked to better early career outcomes, including higher earnings and greater likelihood of securing college-level employment. As part of the 2025 State Opportunity Index, states were benchmarked using student-reported participation in at least one of five types of paid work-based learning at public two- and four-year institutions: internships, apprenticeships, co-ops, practica, and undergraduate research experiences. The findings, based on surveys of more than 56,000 students at public four- and two-year institutions, showed that despite growing recognition of the value of work-based learning, access remains uneven. Nationally, only 43 percent of students at public four-year institutions report at least one of these experiences. At public two-year institutions, participation rates are even lower.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Nazareth's psychology department to offer grad students stipends for school psychologist internships - Racquel Stephen, WXXI News
The Department of Psychology at Nazareth University is offering a $25,000 stipend to those who enroll in their school psychology graduate program so they can explore internship opportunities. The allowance is part of the U.S. Department of Education's School-Based Mental Health grant program, which has the goal of expanding access to school-based mental health services in suburban and rural areas. “It allows the program to be more financially viable,” said Thomas Lappas, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, Business, and Education at Nazareth. “It allows people who may need to move or relocate as they do these internships to have that opportunity.”
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
10 ways micro-credentials are changing how companies hire - Jenny Milam, MSN
For decades, the path to a good job was fairly straightforward: earn a degree, build a resume, and start applying. But hiring is changing. Employers increasingly care less about where candidates went to school and more about whether they can actually do the job. Enter micro-credentials. These short, focused certifications validate specific skills and can often be completed in weeks rather than years. From technology and healthcare to marketing and project management, micro-credentials are helping job seekers prove their abilities while giving employers a faster, more practical way to identify talent. Here are 10 ways micro-credentials are transforming hiring practices.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Generative AI credentials gain value in Saudi job market, report finds - Hebshi Alshammari, Arab News
A new Coursera report suggests that skills-based hiring is becoming increasingly common in Saudi Arabia, particularly as employers place greater value on generative artificial intelligence competencies. According to Coursera’s Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2026, 99 percent of employers in Saudi Arabia use skills-based hiring in some form for entry-level positions, while 86 percent apply the approach extensively. The report also found that 79 percent of Saudi employers would prefer a candidate with verified generative AI skills over a more experienced candidate without those credentials.
Monday, June 22, 2026
Can microcredentials drive new demand for higher ed? - Alcino Donadel, University Business
Higher education leaders, employers and students agree that microcredentials are critical for strengthening enrollment, improving workforce readiness and modernizing curriculum amid rapid AI-driven change. A new Coursera survey of more than 3,500 respondents worldwide found broad support for embedding industry-recognized credentials into degree pathways as institutions face mounting pressure to improve career outcomes and adapt curricula more quickly. In many cases, U.S. respondents expressed greater confidence in microcredentials than their global peers in India, the United Kingdom and other countries.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Highlands College launches broadband micro-credentials to meet Montana workforce demand, TDS Telecom to offer scholarships - Amanda Badovinac, Montana Tech
Highlands College of Montana Tech is preparing to launch three new broadband-focused micro-credential programs designed to quickly train workers for high-demand careers supporting infrastructure and connectivity across Montana. The short-term credentials, each between 16 and 19 credits, will include certificates in heavy equipment operation, fiber splicing, and warehousing. The programs are designed to provide hands-on training that prepares students for immediate employment in growing industries. “Highlands College is excited to offer these credentials to train the workforce who will bring internet to every Montanan even in the most rural of places,” Highlands College Dean Tammy Burke said. “We are looking forward to training students this fall and feel these micro-credentials will provide work-ready skills for these students.”
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Coursera (COUR) Valuation Check As Employer Demand For Micro Credentials Strengthens - Simply Wall St
Coursera (COUR) released a new report indicating that 92% of US employers are willing to offer higher starting salaries to graduates with industry micro-credentials, putting the stock’s online upskilling focus back in the spotlight. The latest employer survey lands against a tougher backdrop for shareholders, with Coursera’s share price down 22.74% year to date and the 1 year total shareholder return down 38.75%, suggesting weak recent momentum despite interest in online upskilling. If this shift toward micro credentials has you thinking more broadly about where digital learning and automation could go next, it may be worth scanning 63 profitable AI stocks that aren't just burning cash as potential comparison points.
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Micro-credentials deemed as ‘wave of the future’ for learning - Rizal Raoul Reyes, Business Mirror
MICRO-CREDENTIALS can create a positive impact in the Philippine academic and labor sectors. In a recent press briefing, leading global online learning platform Coursera revealed a sneak peek of its report on the impact of micro-credentials in the Philippine academic and labor sectors. It emphasized these industry-aligned, flexible, short programs as the “wave of the future” and highly valued by employers, especially when stacked on top of full degrees. Known for making professional certificates and full degrees from top universities more accessible online, Coursera highlighted in its 2026 Micro-Credentials Impact Report that 85 percent of Filipino graduates who earned a micro-credential secured a role aligned with their field within 12 months.
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Micro-Credentials Offer College Grads A Leg Up In A Tight Job Market - Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes
College graduates who earn a micro-credential are likely to fare better in an increasingly challenging job market than those without one. That’s one of the main takeaways from Coursera’s just released Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2026. The findings in the report point to the role that micro-credentials can play in helping students build career-relevant skills, enabling employers confidently hire new workers, and allowing universities align their curriculum more closely and quickly to emerging demands for the workforce.
Monday, June 15, 2026
Lake Erie College launches online certificate in conflict resolution - Mollie Walsh, Cleveland.com
Lake Erie College has launched a new graduate certificate program focused on conflict management, negotiation and organizational dynamics, the college announced. The fully online program, housed within the School of Business, is designed for working professionals seeking training in conflict resolution, communication and leadership in organizational settings. According to the college, the 12-credit certificate can be completed in one year through seven-week courses. The program consists of four graduate-level classes covering workplace conflict, strategic communication, negotiation and mediation practices. Assistant Professor Dr. Aibak Hafeez, who will lead the program, said the curriculum is intended to help professionals manage complex workplace situations and difficult conversations.
Friday, June 12, 2026
92% of US employers willing to offer higher starting salaries to graduates with micro-credentials - Business Wire
New Coursera report highlights growing ROI on industry micro-credentials for learners, employees, and employers
79% of US employers say micro-credential holders demonstrate improved productivity in their first year
85% of US graduates with micro-credentials report securing a role aligned to their field within 12 months
“Over the next decade, over 1.2 billion people are due to enter the global workforce, while 60% of the world’s existing workforce will also require reskilling,” said Marni Baker Stein, Chief Content Officer, Coursera. “This report provides clear evidence that job-relevant industry micro-credentials are helping to meet an unprecedented demand for skills, and providing tangible ROI for students, employers, and universities that offer them.”
Thursday, June 11, 2026
Are Microcredentials Worth It? These Newly Accreditor-Backed Ones Might Be. - Evan Costillo, Best Colleges
Employers are increasingly valuing microcredentials — short programs that display your proficiency — in skill-based hiring, and accreditors are launching new initiatives to endorse these programs. The Higher Learning Commission, a leading accreditor, endorsed four businesses offering short-term programs, including microcredentials. A 2023 survey found that most MicroMaster programs, a type of microcredential that can lead to a master’s degree, cost between $200-$4,700 each. If you want to stack microcredentials, you may have to pay for multiple programs.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Reintroduction of Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy welcomed by universities body - Engineers Ireland
The subsidy will support participation in 57 micro-credential courses offered by IUA universities this year, spanning areas of national importance including digital transformation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, leadership, innovation, healthcare, engineering and business development. These courses build on the IUA-led MicroCreds initiative, which supported more than 20,000 learners to upskill and reskill via more than 600 micro-credential courses across the seven IUA universities.
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
AI Raises the Stakes for College Internships - Abby Sourwirne, GovTech
Internship postings on Handshake, a career networking site for college students and graduates, declined by more than 15 percent between January 2023 and January 2025, while the share of graduating students who applied to at least one internship rose from 34 percent to 41 percent. Yet even as internships grow harder to find, they're also becoming more important. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, internship experience with an employer’s organization or industry is among the most influential factors when employers choose between otherwise equally qualified candidates.Some colleges and universities are meeting this problem by providing credits for work experience, revamping on-campus work opportunities or directly partnering with local employers. If they don't, some workforce and higher-education experts warn, students will be left behind.
Monday, June 8, 2026
Stackable Micro-Credentials: The Revenue Multiplier Enterprises Actually Buy - AI Certs
Enterprises are moving away from broad, slow degrees and generic upskilling programs. Instead, they are rapidly shifting to modular, skill-specific training. Stackable micro-credentials group together narrow, job-focused skills to create clear, targeted career pathways. This blog shows strategy allows businesses to close immediate talent gaps while increasing internal revenue, creating a highly efficient path to rapid software and technological adoption. Many businesses waste millions of dollars on broad, generic training programs. Workers sit through long, general classes but return to their desks without knowing how to use tools for their specific daily jobs. This lack of clear utility creates a major business bottleneck, especially as companies push to adopt complex software systems.
Friday, June 5, 2026
Sri Lanka to introduce national micro-credentials framework - Education Times
The government is to introduce a National Micro-Credentials Framework that will apply to the education, higher education and vocational education sectors. Micro-credentials are short, flexible and verifiable learning certifications that prove mastery of specific skills or competencies. Unlike traditional degrees, they focus on narrow, in demand topics, allowing professionals to upskill or reskill quickly without the time or financial commitment of a full degree programme. “Currently, we are formulating a micro-credential framework. We believe we can implement this scheme within this year,” Deputy Education Minister Madhura Senevirathna said.
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