How one university quickly created a certificate program that attracted 135,000 participants -- University of South Florida

The University of South Florida in Tampa Bay recently pulled off something remarkable: It conceived, developed, promoted and presented a free online certificate program — Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace — in just six months. Even more impressive was the response: 135,000 people from companies and universities across the nation and around the world signed up for the program marketed solely by email, organic social media and word of mouth. Forty-seven percent of students earned a certificate by completing the program — triple the rate of the typical massive open online course.

https://narratives.insidehighered.com/USF-quick-certificate-program-success/index.html

Leveraging Continuing Education Programming in Conjunction with Traditional Degree Programs - Erica Kunkel, Evolllution

Continuing Education departments are uniquely positioned to meet their local workforce development needs while supporting and advocating for the goals of adult learners starting or returning to school. In some situations, higher education institutions and adult learners are leveraging multiple Continuing Education offerings in an innovative way to upskill quickly while staying on the path to a degree. Adult learners are a growth opportunity for many higher education institutions, if supported and acknowledged as a different community than traditional-aged students.

https://evolllution.com/revenue-streams/extending_lifelong_learning/leveraging-continuing-education-programming-in-conjunction-with-traditional-degree-programs/

Micro-credentials gift for Christmas - Australia Campus Morning Call

It’s all part of the plan to encourage the present pilot of m-c courses. But it will help if people have to know where to find them. The previous government was on to that, announcing in June 2020 there would be, “a nationally consistent platform to compare course outcomes, duration, mode of delivery and credit point value. Last year the NSW Universities Admission Centre was commissioned to build a “micro-credentials marketplace” (CMM, July 15 2021 and March 23 2022). So how’s that going? UAC’s Kim Paino says, “we are currently onboarding providers” and anticipates the site will be live in December.

https://campusmorningmail.com.au/news/micro-credentials-gift-for-christmas/

Panel Explores Data Needs for Changing Student Pathways - Jon Edelman, Diverse Education

Every sector of America has been buffeted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a shifting economy, and the world of higher education is no exception. Enrollment has declined steeply, with 85% of 2022 losses coming from four-year schools. Definitions of student success are changing, and there has been a rise in alternative degrees and credentials, micro-credentials, and apprenticeships. Understanding these changes and their effects is going to require not only new data, but new kinds of data.

https://www.diverseeducation.com/reports-data/article/15303029/panel-explores-data-needs-for-changing-student-pathways

Symposium 2022 The Journey of the Champions - ICoCB

These Champions, or also sometimes called “intrapreneurs”, are following a vision that is bigger than the tasks that they are assigned to at their workplace. They understand that building ecosystems with other organizational, governmental and educational stakeholders is key for scaling their programs – be it for internal mobility, increased engagement, or leveraging the potential of the growing gig-economy. At ICoBC, we think that such Champions are a true source of inspiration for the community and that supporting them in their scaling their network, the entire community benefits. If you call yourself a Champion or you have the aspiration to become one, join us at the 2nd ICoBC Symposium on November 22, 2022 in Berlin/Germany or online (free). Please write us about sponsorship of the ticket, contribution or any other questions via email.

https://icobc.net/what-we-do/events/symposium-2022/

What does the ‘metaverse’ mean for education? - Javeria Salman, Hechinger Report

In a true metaverse experience, your digital identity travels between the physical and virtual worlds, Platt said. With the help of blockchain technology, that identity — your preferences, your achievements, your educational records, other elements of who you are — is maintained across platforms and applications. “So, when you get credit for classes, when you get badges and certificates and minors and majors and all these kinds of academic credentialing,” Platt said, “it can be cobbled together from various different digital and physical places and all attached to this single identity.”

https://hechingerreport.org/what-does-the-metaverse-mean-for-education/

Law Students Are Happy Learning Online, Survey Says - Liam Knox, Inside Higher Ed

Law school students are increasingly both satisfied and comfortable with online learning, according to the 2022 Law School Survey of Student Engagement. The results are a potential sign that the pandemic’s normalization of online classes is bolstering a growing acceptance of, and heightened proficiency in, virtual instruction among law students and instructors. Fifty percent of the survey’s nearly 13,000 respondents took at least one course taught mostly or entirely online; three-quarters of them said they were comfortable with nearly all features of online education, including communicating with faculty and taking exams.

https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2022/10/27/law-students-are-happy-learning-online-survey-says

Continuing Education is Key to Your Best Tech Career - Nick Kolakowski, Dice

In today’s rapidly-evolving landscape, staying up to date on the latest tools of your trade will help you nail the next interview — and ensure success in your new role. Those with cutting-edge skills may find themselves climbing the salary ladder quickly — and potentially avoiding potential layoffs in the future due to their specialized knowledge. Even in times of economic uncertainty, companies want to hold onto their specialists and skilled technologists. Fortunately, a good employer is as interested in your education as you are, since that ultimately makes you a more valuable employee. Even if your manager seems disinclined to negotiate over increased compensation (more on that later), they may prove willing to pay for classes and other educational opportunities that boost your current skillset. Online learning courses, for instance, can offer flexible scheduling that allows you to juggle work and education.

https://insights.dice.com/2022/10/27/continuing-education-is-key-to-your-best-tech-career/

Micro-credentials in the Asia-Pacific - Stuart Martin, FE News

The first question that I asked the members of the panel forms the basis of this article: I asked them to talk about how their country defines a micro-credential. In addition to the four countries that were discussed as part of the panel I have also chosen to explore Malaysia’s use of micro-credentials in this article, to cover more of Asia in addition to the Pacific region. I’m going to go through the definition and process for each country and then explore and analyse the impact.

https://www.fenews.co.uk/exclusive/exclusive-micro-credentials-in-the-asia-pacific/

Serving Adult Learners with Flexibility, Stackable Credentials, and Data - Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology

As a predominately online institution geared toward serving adult students, University of Massachusetts Global is rethinking traditional models of education to embrace the flexibility and career relevance that working learners need. That means getting granular: unbundling courses or curricula into smaller modules that can be more accessible to busy students but also stack into credentials that will be meaningful to employers. We spoke with Dr. David Andrews, chancellor of UMass Global, about developing a new credentialing ecosystem, listening to student and industry needs, and the data infrastructure that can really support student success,

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2022/10/18/podcast-serving-adult-learners-with-flexibility-stackable-credentials-and-data.aspx

The increasing importance of micro-credentials on your international college applications - Prateek Bhargava, Economic Times

Higher educational institutions are one of the primary providers of micro-credentials. Micro-credentials can be subdivided into credit-bearing micro-credentials and non-credit-bearing micro-credentials. It is important to understand that there is a wide spectrum of what the term micro-credentials mean. Today, the pressing talent shortage is affecting just about every business and organization in a big way. It’s more than just a matter of sourcing people willing to work; they also have to possess the skills that match up with the role. ‘Skills gap’ is a plague that seems to be spreading far and wide. As the demand for upskilling and reskilling within the changing face of the world of work has gained importance, notably in the context of the recovery plans surrounding COVID-19, the focus on micro-credentials has amplified.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/the-increasing-importance-of-micro-credentials-on-your-international-college-applications/articleshow/94989354.cms

Google Partners with 4 Universities to Offer First-Ever Specializations to Complement Its Career Certificates - Kate Lucariello, Campus Technology

Google announced it is partnering with Columbia University, the University of Michigan, Arizona State University, and the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business to offer new industry specializations in growing fields to complement its Google Career Certificates. These specializations are designed for those in continuing education programs and will give them additional skills in high-demand fields. Offered on the Coursera online learning platform, the specializations include construction management, public sector data analytics, financial analysis, and sustainability analysis. 

https://campustechnology.com/articles/2022/10/18/google-partners-with-4-universities-to-offer-first-ever-specializations.aspx

College is one way to get ahead. It shouldn't be the only one - Maria Flynn, WBUR

The good news is that, despite the confusion and concerns, change is happening. The U.S. Department of Labor recently designated $113 million in funding toward expanding Registered Apprenticeship for adults and school-aged young people. The bipartisan ISA Student Protection Act of 2022, introduced in the U.S. Senate in July, is a step toward making outcome-based financing, which ties learners’ training costs to their post-program salaries. Even the idea that career-focused training and education must wait until after high school is shifting. In Massachusetts, more students are graduating from high school with associate’s degrees thanks to the increased popularity of dual-enrollment programs, which allow students to earn college credits in high school.

https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2022/10/05/college-debt-alternative-education-pathways-training-maria-flynn

Durbin Visits Harper College, Meets With Apprentices - Journal & Topics

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D) recently visited Harper College in Palatine to discuss a variety of topics related to education, student support and Illinois’ workforce needs. The senior U.S. senator from Illinois met with Harper President Avis Proctor to talk about subjects ranging from open educational resources and student services to partnerships with school districts and universities. Durbin participated in a discussion with Harper faculty, staff and apprentices who are studying and working in health careers, supply chain management and CNC precision machining. “Harper and other community colleges are key to our ability to replenish and transform the workforce,” Durbin said. “Colleges can make sure our workforce matches our needs as a state.

https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/durbin-visits-harper-college-meets-with-apprentices/

Encouraging interoperability to help learners in the digital credential marketplace - Alex Engler, Brookings

The growing use of digital credentials is enabling graduates and job seekers to make their credentials more accessible and portable in a fast-changing labor market. Governments and educational institutions should be moving to support interoperable versions of these digital credentials to give learners more control, which will ultimately lead to platforms and services that are more valuable for users.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2022/10/17/encouraging-interoperability-to-help-learners-in-the-digital-credential-marketplace/

Queen’s Micro-Credentials Address Knowledge Gaps In Burgeoning Neurotech Industry

A new program at Queen’s University will offer a unique training opportunity designed to address gaps in knowledge in the expanding neurotech sector, a field gaining increasing prominence with initiatives such as Elon Musk’s Neuralink and Meta (formerly Facebook) Reality Lab’s use of neural signals to enhance virtual reality applications.  The NeuroTech Micro-Credential Program – the first of its kind in Canada – will provide individuals already working in the industry, and those transitioning or beginning a career in neurotech, the opportunity to upscale their skills and, in particular, improve their understanding of foundational neuroscience and ethics.  

https://healthsci.queensu.ca/stories/news-announcements/queens-micro-credentials-address-knowledge-gaps-burgeoning-neurotech

‘A tipping point for higher ed’: Google launches new, low-cost online programs for high-demand jobs - SYDNEY LAKE, Fortune

Higher education has benefits ranging from career development to skill building to network development—but it certainly can come at a high cost. The average cost of college in the U.S. is more than $35,000 per year, according to the Education Data Initiative. And these students average about $37,000 in student loan debt.  Google Career Certificates online educational programs are focused on helping learners land jobs that are in high demand, including in digital marketing, IT support, data analytics, project management, and UX design. More than 300,000 people have graduated from Google’s Career Certificates program, and 75% of these grads report they’ve found a new job, higher pay, or a promotion within six months of completing of the program.

https://fortune.com/education/business/articles/2022/10/13/a-tipping-point-for-higher-ed-google-launches-new-low-cost-online-programs-for-high-demand-jobs/

Alamo Colleges District's Micro-Credentials Insights

AlamoONLINE represents the range of opportunities for students pursuing degrees, certificates, or other offerings delivered 100% online from the district’s five colleges: Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, and St. Philip’s College. In 2020, AlamoONLINE expanded its services to include micro-credentialing to enhance students' educational experiences and strengthen each college’s capacity to deliver premier, quality digital learning experiences. We proudly share our findings from the study and practice of delivering micro-credentials in this new insight series! The series documents everything we learned, shares how we pivoted, and serves as a how-to guide for others pursuing this work. We recognize and accept our role as a leading community college district to share our work. We hope our internal colleagues and external partners, observers, and stakeholders can benefit from the time and investment in these briefs.

https://www.alamo.edu/microcredentials-briefs/

Google launches Career Certificate to upskill Australians - Denham Sadler, Information Age

Online course certifications to be recognised by major employers.  The courses will be flexible and will take between three and six months to complete, depending on how much time is dedicated to them. With 10 hours completed per week, one course will take six months. Google has also gathered a consortium of some of Australia’s largest companies which have agreed to recognise the qualifications and signalled interest in considering graduates in open roles. These companies include Australia Post, Woolworths Group, Canva, Optus and IAG.over across five years, through thousands of new jobs and digital infrastructure.

https://ia.acs.org.au/article/2022/google-launches-career-certificate-to-upskill-australians.html

Micro-credential, big payoff - University of Florida

Micro-credentials have emerged as an ideal way to become proficient in a specific knowledge area. In this episode, Regina Rodriguez, provost fellow for professional education, explains UF's approach to micro-credentials, particularly in the realm of AI. Produced by Nicci Brown, Brooke Adams, James Sullivan and Emma Richards. Original music by Daniel Townsend, a doctoral candidate in music composition in the College of the Arts.

https://news.ufl.edu/2022/10/from-florida-episode-s3-ep-8-ai-micro-credentials/

Hyper-Individualized Learning for a Hyper-Individualized Future - Thomas Frey, Future of Education

There’s a new application of hyper-personalization, though, that’s still in its infancy. And thanks to blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI), it will deliver a far more substantive and meaningful difference in our lives than any ads for sneakers, cruises, or wineries.  Hyper-individualized learning – in the form of educational content and subsequent credentialing – is just around the corner.

https://futuristspeaker.com/future-of-education/hyper-individualized-learning-for-a-hyper-individualized-future/