One of American University’s most attractive qualities is the variety of internship and fellowship opportunities in D.C. Naturally, this means AU is full of eager students seeking such opportunities to adequately prepare them for their career aspirations. In my college application process, I found that more than 86% of AU undergraduates complete internships prior to graduation, well above the 60% national average. These opportunities and statistics inspired me to choose American, for I wanted access to unmatched opportunities. Internships these days, especially during the summer, are extremely competitive with mountains of applications, making the desire to finally score one amidst the chaos even more cut throat and stressful.
Monday, July 8, 2024
Universities Investing in Microcredential Leadership - Lauren Coffey, Inside Higher Ed
As microcredential programs slowly gain traction, more universities are looking for leaders to coordinate the efforts. More universities are seeking dedicated leaders for microcredential programs. Amy Heitzman noticed a new trend when UPCEA, an online and professional education association, put out calls last year to institutions looking to bulk up microcredential programs. “Five of the 40 [applicants] said, ‘We’re going to hire someone to head this up,’” said Heitzman, UPCEA’s deputy CEO and chief learning officer. “And it was like, ‘Oh?’ But it was not surprising, because it’s essential.” Microcredentials—also known as digital badges, credentials, certificate, or alternative credentials—grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now they are attracting renewed interest as institutions look to widen their nets for nontraditional students as an enrollment cliff looms.
Sunday, July 7, 2024
6 Free Courses With Certificates To Learn High-Income Skills In 2024 - Rachel Wells, Forbes
In a booming labor market where the job vacancies and demand outpace the supply of skilled professionals, your well-rounded skill set is what matters the most—even more than your degree. But out of all the skills needed in the workplace right now, AI skills seem to be the prevailing theme amongst employers. In fact, "73% of employers consider hiring talent with AI skills and experience a priority," says recent findings from an AWS survey that sought to understand the workplace sentiment towards AI skills. "But, nearly three in four (75%) of them say that they can’t find the talent they need," evidencing a significant AI skills gap.
Saturday, July 6, 2024
The New Innovator's Dilemma: Fostering Young Talent in the Age of AI - Julia Freeland Fisher, Harvard Advanced Leadership Review
Disruptive innovation theory is a theory of competition between firms. But when it comes to mentoring early talent within firms, the same dynamics shape managers’ tradeoffs. Mentoring is a high-cost endeavor with poor incentives. It’s hard to justify investing in early talent whose added value starts off low and yields unpredictable returns. “This problem is analogous to The Innovator’s Dilemma, in which [companies] fail in spite of seemingly doing everything right,” said Martin Permin, founder of the mentoring platform Pelion. “The return on mentorship typically follows an S-curve, which means gratification is delayed. This means mentoring is often deprioritized by well-meaning, busy people.”
Friday, July 5, 2024
New online short course offers free evidence-based classroom management assistance - Education HQ (AU)
A free micro-credential course on classroom management has been released this week for any teacher keen to upskill in ‘preventive and proactive’ strategies to improve student behaviour and engagement. Taking an estimated 48 hours to complete, the short course will see participants “investigate strategies for creating safe, predictable, productive and orderly learning environments...”. Offered by the University of Adelaide, and designed for both primary and secondary educators, the self-paced course is aligned to the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at the highly accomplished level. Funded by the Federal Government, the targeted course is part of the broader National Teacher Workforce Action Plan and builds on the Engaged Classrooms initiative, which is developing free classroom management resources for teachers.
Cornell transforms generative AI education and clones a faculty member - Molly Israel, Cornell Chronicle
Cornell University, a top-ranked leader in the growing field of AI research and development, launched a groundbreaking online certificate program, Designing and Building AI Solutions, with one-of-a-kind features designed to enhance the learning experience in our AI world. Lutz Finger, program faculty author and senior visiting lecturer at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, generated an AI clone of himself who continuously updates the courses with new content, keeping the curriculum relevant as real-world developments happen. “We are democratizing AI,” says Finger. “No coding experience is necessary. What sets this program apart is its design for non-technical professionals. By the last class, participants will have identified a potential business application and built their own AI product to meet that business need.”
Thursday, July 4, 2024
Retraining your best people, upskilling new hires through free virtual education - Kyle Harrison, Smart Industry
Effective knowledge transfer requires systematic planning and execution. Mentorship programs, job shadowing, and cross-training are some methods used to facilitate this transfer. However, these approaches can be time-consuming and may not always be prioritized in fast-paced manufacturing environments. Moreover, the success of these programs depends heavily on the willingness and ability of the retiring experts to communicate their knowledge effectively as well as the capacity of the recipients to absorb and apply this information. Online tutorials often offer a range of modules that can be tailored to the industry's specific needs. This customization allows for more relevant and targeted learning experiences, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the training. This approach improves the efficiency and effectiveness of employee training programs.
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Lakehead gets $190K to offer micro-credentials for in-demand jobs - Orillia Matters
Lakehead University has been awarded $190,580 as part of the Ontario government’s second round of the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund. This year, Ontario is providing funding for 88 micro-credential projects as part of its investment of $5 million for eligible post-secondary institutions to work with industry to co-create or expand rapid training programs that respond to Ontario’s evolving labour market. “The Micro-credentials Challenge Fund brings industry and institutions together to create programs that strengthen Ontario’s workforce and economy,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities in the Ontario Government’s media release. “Micro-credentials reflect current and local labour market needs and immediately prepare students for industry-relevant opportunities in their region.”
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
The Rise of Micro-credentials: Unlocking New Opportunities - Begüm Avcı, Sertifier
In today’s increasingly digitized world, traditional forms of certification and credentialing are being complemented and, in some cases, surpassed by the rise of Micro-credentials. They have gained significant traction across various industries and educational institutions. These virtual representations of skills, accomplishments, and knowledge provide a portable and verifiable way to showcase one’s expertise and achievements. This article explores the emergence of micro-credentials, their benefits, and the vast array of opportunities they unlock for individuals, organizations, and educational systems.
Monday, July 1, 2024
Instructure, Internet2 form council to tackle data management in education - Back End News
Instructure, an edtech company, together with Internet2, a research and education community, established the Data Advisory Council. This new initiative aims to address the increasing data management and archiving needs faced by higher educational institutions worldwide. The council, composed of experts from Instructure, Internet2, and various academic institutions, will focus on developing and recommending consistent data hygiene and governance standards. It aims to tackle several pressing data-related issues including the management of vast quantities of data, safeguarding student privacy, and ensuring data security.
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Navigating the Evolution of Microcredentials and Open Badges - Brittany Gooding, atd
In recent years, there has been a notable transformation in how we prepare individuals for the workforce. Traditional methods are making way for new approaches driven by recognizing specific skills and experiences. The rise of technology and online learning platforms has brought microcredentials and open badges to the forefront, offering learners alternative paths to showcase their capabilities. While both concepts serve this purpose, they differ significantly in their structure, purpose, and application.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Loyalist College receives $250,000 in funding for development of rapid training programs - Zach McGibbon, Quinte News
Loyalist College has announced they have been selected to develop five rapid training programs as part of $250,000 in funding from the Ontario government. The funding comes through Ontario’s Micro-credentials Challenge Fund. According to a press release from Loyalist College, micro-credentials offer targeted training for career-specific skills. The credentials take less time to complete than diplomas or degrees. The five programs that will be developed are as follows:
Friday, June 28, 2024
Effective Decision-Making: Essential leadership skills - London School of Economics
This highly interactive and collaborative online certificate course will equip you with decision-making skills essential to be effective and deliver impact in your career. Through exploring the science behind decision-making your problem-solving and critical thinking skills will be enhanced. Using Barbara Fasolo and Umar Taj's proprietary tool – the Decision Canvas™ – you’ll be guided through a step-by-step process for formulating clear, unbiased decisions. Learn how to compensate for blind spots in your decision-making process by exploring and interrogating cognitive bias and automatic judgements. By focusing on an informed awareness of debiasing and choice architecture, this course will improve your intuitive decision-making, and prepare you for an increasingly tech-reliant world that requires professionals to use their interpersonal skills to navigate change and uncertainty.
Thursday, June 27, 2024
Programme/Project Monitoring & Evaluation for Accountability and Learning (PMEAL) - Online Certificate Course - IPHDC
Monitoring and Evaluation are crucial processes in supporting programme and project implementation, contributing to organizational learning, ensuring accountability, providing opportunities for stakeholder feedback to be captured and promoting evidence-based decision making. They assist in understanding whether a programme or project is on track and achieving its objectives and intended impact. By tracking progress and collecting data, project managers can identify issues early and take necessary remedial actions. IDEAL Public Health and Development Consultancy (IPHDC), has organized this training which aimed at equipping participants with knowledge and skills for designing and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation within their humanitarian and development programmes/projects for accountability and learning.
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
UK Turning to Micro-Credentials to Gain Digital Skills for Jobs - NIKOLAZ FOUCAUD, HR Director
The UK has seen a 961% increase in AI upskilling but lags behind other nations, including the US and Brazil. Despite government-backed efforts to cement the UK’s place as a science and technology superpower by 2030, with multi-million-pound investment in AI, new research*. The data reveals rapid growth in GenAI course enrolments – a 1,060% year-on-year increase – as the world races toward AI literacy. While the UK has seen a 961% increase in AI upskilling in the past 12 months, it has seen a lower uptake than the global average, and lags behind the US (1,058%). Nations across the world appear to be prioritising AI upskilling more than the UK. In Brazil, which ranks among the global top 20, and which attains cutting-edge proficiency in tech and data science, there has been a 1,079% year-on-year increase in GenAI course enrollments.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
New graduate certificate to prepare students for global leadership challenges - Chris Hybels, Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is launching a new graduate certificate that is designed for individuals interested in developing inclusive global leadership practices to support their work in a variety of educational and organizational learning contexts. The College of Education and Human Development's new graduate certificate in global leadership and learning (GLL) will be offered in both a hybrid and online format beginning fall semester 2024.
Monday, June 24, 2024
FAU Nursing Offers New Fully Online and On--Demand Nursing Certivicate - GISELE GALOUSTIAN, FAU
Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is offering a 25-hour, fully online and on-demand “Teaching/Learning Grounded in Caring Science Certificate” course to provide the essential knowledge for engagement in the innovative process for studying nursing grounded in caring. The Teaching/Learning Grounded in Caring Science course is a virtual-learning certificate program for nursing faculty, graduate nursing students, and working nursing professionals interested in a teaching career. The focus of the program is to acquire knowledge and competencies for engagement in caring science-based teaching.
Sunday, June 23, 2024
New HEQCO report on microcredentials reveals they won’t be saving universities - Matthew Halliday, University Affairs
A new report published this past April by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario falls closer to the latter position than the former. Authored by HEQCO researchers Jackie Pickette and Rachel Courts, it found that the microcredentials delivered in Ontario so far tend mostly to offer a new gloss on traditional continuing education — but not much more. “We understand there’s this broader call for microcredentials to do more or be more, but we don’t have evidence that’s happening — or that it needs to happen,” said Julia Colyar, vice-president of research and policy at HEQCO.
Saturday, June 22, 2024
Jobs of the Future: Ontario funds new micro-credentials - Sudbury
The Ontario government is spending $5 million through the Micro-credentials Challenge Fund to bring post-secondary institutions and industry together to build or expand rapid training programs for priority job sectors like health care and advanced manufacturing. This is the second round of Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund. “The Micro-credentials Challenge Fund brings industry and institutions together to create programs that strengthen Ontario’s workforce and economy,” said Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop in a news release. “Micro-credentials reflect current and local labour market needs and immediately prepare students for industry-relevant opportunities in their region.”
Friday, June 21, 2024
CECU statement on the Ensuring Distance Education Act, introduced by Rep. Burgess Owens
CECU’s President and CEO, Dr. Jason Altmire, issued the following statement regarding the introduction of the Ensuring Distance Education Act: "Career Education Colleges and Universities applauds Congressman Owens on the introduction of the Ensuring Distance Education Act, a commonsense bill to enable institutions to provide educational opportunities to students through distance learning methods that meet student needs. Adult students often face significant barriers to in-person learning that would help these workers advance or change careers. Distance education helps lower those barriers. This bill would remedy a flawed policy that currently discourages distance education and hybrid curriculums. Congress should support this legislation which recognizes the importance of providing flexible educational opportunities that meet student needs."
Thursday, June 20, 2024
Microcredentialing - EDUCAUSE
Microcredentials are a highly visible way to showcase your expertise with peers and current or prospective employers—helping you stand out in a competitive marketplace. These effective tools motivate learners to continue their professional learning and growth, demonstrate specific skills and/or competencies mastered, recognize accomplishments and experience gained, and reflect significant investment of time in service to the higher education community. EDUCAUSE supports credential transparency, Credential Engine’s initiative to develop a robust digital ecosystem where credentials of all types and the knowledge, skills, abilities, and outcomes they represent can be easily translated across systems and organizations in support of learners.
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