Students at Mahoning and Shenango Valley colleges and universities are seeing additional programs and some campus improvements this fall. Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., added two microcredentials to the two it started last year. The college’s new nursing simulation lab is debuting this semester too. Youngstown State University added about 50 new associate and certificate degree programs this fall. They range from online options including an associate in applied business in accounting and a certificate in advertising to in-person options that include an associate degree in applied science in nursing and a certificate in medical assistant.
Monday, September 9, 2024
Sunday, September 8, 2024
The Many Lives of Saint Joseph’s - Sara Weissman, Inside Higher Ed
Saint Joseph’s College, a Catholic institution in Indiana, suspended operations seven years ago and lost its accreditation, beset by financial troubles. Deferred maintenance issues piled up; the institution was $27 million in debt. As the region’s traditional college-age population dwindled, enrollment declined to about 900 students in 2017 from a peak of about 1,500 in the 1960s. Now the campus is bustling again, having gone through a bold but somewhat controversial transformation. The college has reinvented itself as a hub for short-term workforce training programs in Rensselaer, the small city in rural northwestern Indiana where it’s located. Using adjunct instructors, it offers a range of certificate programs, including in various health-care fields, veterinary sciences and a newly launched commercial driver’s license program. Tuition ranges from $500 to $2,100 per program this fall, and the longest certificate program, for veterinary assistants, spans just 16 weeks.
Saturday, September 7, 2024
Packers, UW-Green Bay offering online certificate detailing team’s ‘Return to Glory’ - Rich Kremer, WPR
In collaboration with the Green Bay Packers, the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay is offering an online course detailing the team’s “return to glory” over the past 50 years. The class will be led by Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Curator Brent Hensel and will feature eight sessions covering the team’s struggles in the 1970s and 1980s, the optimism surrounding the return of Packer greats like Bart Starr and Forest Gregg and the team’s rise to Super Bowl champions in 1997 and 2011.
Friday, September 6, 2024
How MIT’s online resources provide a “highly motivating, even transformative experience” - Lauren Rebecca Thacker, MIT Open Learning
MITx and MIT Bootcamps are both hands-on and interactive experiences offered by MIT Open Learning, which is exactly what appealed to Sampalis. One of the best parts, he says, is that community and collaborations with those he met through MIT continued even after the boot camp concluded. Participants remain in touch not only with their cohort, but with a broader community of over 1,800 other participants from around the world, and have access to continued coaching and mentorship. Overall, the community of learners has been a highlight of Sampalis’ MIT Open Learning experience.
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation rangers apply academic lens to monitoring rock art - Rhiannon Clarke, National Indigenous Times
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) Rangers are pioneering the development of a series of university-level micro-credentials for rock art monitoring in Murujuga. Two of their MAC Rock Art Monitoring Rangers and one of their Senior Heritage Advisors have recently achieved a significant milestone in their academic journey. Glen Aubrey and Kasziem Bin Sali completed a university-level micro-credential in Introduction to Ambient Air Quality and Monitoring in July, excelling in both online and practical assessments.
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
New Alternative Pathways to Career Success - Larraine Segil, Fast Company
The value of a college degree is evolving rather than diminishing. While there’s scrutiny, degrees still offer significant economic benefits, career opportunities, and skill development in the right areas. Alternative credentials like certificates and bootcamps are gaining traction, especially in fields like tech. Employers now value skills and experience over formal degrees, although certain professions still require them. Micro-credentials are short, focused certifications that demonstrate proficiency in specific skills or subjects. They are flexible, often offered online, and can be combined to build broader expertise. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer these credentials, as do many universities and professional organizations. They’re particularly valuable in fields like data science, digital marketing, and IT.
Tuesday, September 3, 2024
These 10 schools found their footing creating quality alternative credentials - Alcino Donadel, University Business
Senior leadership is beginning to view alternative credentials as a fundamental of their enrollment strategy—and accreditors are listening. But costs, opaque data and unfruitful corporate outreach efforts have prevented colleges and universities from implementing the programs at scale, to name a few barriers. Institutions looking to solidify their non-degree micro-credential and digital badge strategy can model solutions from these 10 schools where thousands of students are upskilling in fast-paced, dynamic environments. UPCEA, the professional development nonprofit, brought together institutions across various sizes, sectors and regions to highlight alternative credential models that complement each school’s mission.
Monday, September 2, 2024
Laurentian University to offer micro-credentials for working professionals - Sault Star
In her role with the CTLC, Sckopke identifies gaps that could benefit from supplemental education and works with partners to develop courses to close those gaps. “The courses are for adults of all ages. We have some that start at 16-plus,” she added. “It depends on the course. We limit the courses to 30 hours and ask that learners plan to commit two to five hours a week to study time. These are competency-based and accessible because we recognize that learners often have a busy schedule.”
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Australia’s urgent lack of hydrogen skills addressed by new Swinburne micro-credentials - Swinburne University
Swinburne University of Technology is addressing the immediate skills gaps across the burgeoning hydrogen industry. The university worked with industry to develop a suite of 11 micro-learning modules. The program is funded by the Victorian Government and announced as part of their commitment to upskilling this National Skills Week.
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Micro-Credentials: The Ideal Pathway for Professional and Personal Growth - Education News Canada
Micro-credentials offer learners the opportunity to build on their skills and abilities in a specific area. Laurentian University offers 17 micro-credential courses, in English and French. From health care to homegrown greens, the possibilities are as diverse as the people interested in them. Christina Sckopke is the manager of Micro-Credentials and Non-Credit Programming with the Centre for Teaching and Continuing Learning (CTLC) at Laurentian University. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing and a Master's of Science in Nursing from Laurentian. After 15 years in nursing, Christina sought out professional development to improve her chances of securing a managerial role. Having taken them herself, she has since worked to develop Laurentian's list of professional development options and is an advocate for the potential that micro-credentials offer to professionals.
Friday, August 30, 2024
Microcredential courses for re-skilling and up-skilling - Parakram Pyakurel, HEPI, UK
In this short post, I am proposing microcredential as an approach to make early exit degrees more viable, especially for workforces that are looking for re- and/ or up-skilling opportunities as a part of continuous professional development. Lack of growth opportunities is a major reason (Why Upskilling And Reskilling Are Essential In 2023 (forbes.com)) why employees leave workplaces and one way for employers to retain their valuable employees is by providing them opportunities to participate in upskilling and reskilling programmes for professional development. Universities can support such programmes by offering microcredential courses. Microcredentials (A European approach to micro-credentials – European Education Area (europa.eu)) are basically certifications of learning outcomes of short training and courses. Microcredentials can be modularised in such a way that a combination of microcredentials, accumulated over an extended period of time, can lead to early exit degrees.
Thursday, August 29, 2024
New Research Finds 65% of Generation Z is Eager for Professional Development and Career Growth - Business Wire
The new research based on responses from over 6,500 multi-generational learners challenges many stereotypical perceptions of Gen Z (defined in the report as people born between 1997 and 2012). Often depicted as “lazy” and “not interested in returning to the office,” Udemy’s data debunks these common tropes, revealing that Gen Z respondents are actually the most motivated by professional development (65%) compared to their Millennial and Gen X counterparts. Additionally, despite demand for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) content continuing to surge across the Udemy platform and Gen Z's exceptionally high engagement rate with GenAI, they’re the most skeptical generation when it comes to perceptions of AI’s effectiveness in online learning.
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Funding Boost for Thames Freeport Workforce Skills - Mirage News
The University of Plymouth has been awarded funding by Thames Freeport to help drive its economic growth and prepare the local workforce to meet the demands of its rapid expansion. The project will see the Plymouth Business School grow its existing partnership with the Port of Tilbury, located on the Thames and the principal port for London. In particular, it will work with the Tilbury Logistics Academy to develop a comprehensive suite of short courses and micro-credentials. The courses will cover essential business subjects such as project management, leadership, and decision-making for sustainable procurement, as well as logistics-related courses including freight forwarding and letters of credit.
https://www.miragenews.com/funding-boost-for-thames-freeport-workforce-1300092/#google_vignette
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Prestigious scholarship provides once in a lifetime opportunity for US student - Massey News
The Gilman Scholarship programme is funded by the United States Department of State and run in conjunction with Education New Zealand. It aims to support American undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to study abroad where they would otherwise not be able to afford to. When Keira found out she had been successful in her application, she says she told just about anyone who would listen. “I was ecstatic, beyond happy. Being awarded this scholarship took away a huge sum of my financial burden and was a once in a lifetime kind of opportunity I couldn't let pass. I knew the animal biology in New Zealand would be like nothing in America and I would never again get the chance to see it if I didn't take my study abroad there.” Keira has taken a break from her classes at the Berea College in Kentucky to study marine biology and creative writing at Massey until the end of the year. She is enjoying the different teaching methods from America and discovering the rich biodiversity that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Monday, August 26, 2024
Digital Promise Releases New Report to Understand Micro-credential and LER Use in K-12 Settings - K12 Dive
Learning and employment record technologies are tools that allow individuals to document and share their skills, credentials, diplomas, and employment history, with the potential to strengthen or reinvent resumes by including verifiable information about achievements in real-time. Micro-credentials are digital certifications that verify an individual’s competence in a specific skill or set of skills. These technologies have the potential to foster lifelong learning and career advancement, particularly for systematically excluded (HSE) learners.
Sunday, August 25, 2024
Grant prepares TRU students for rewarding careers - Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University (TRU) students will be able to access a grant this fall and winter from the BC government for the skills and training opportunities they need for future career success. Available to British Columbians aged 19 and older, the StrongerBC future skills grant program provides financial support to TRU students pursuing any of 13 eligible online, in-person or hybrid programs that span from various trades to business. Introduced in fall 2023, the StrongerBC future skills grant is available for TRU programs starting between September 2024 and February 2025. It provides funding to new students, as well as students who have previously accessed funding, up to a lifetime maximum of $3,500.
Saturday, August 24, 2024
Universities are integrating micro-credentials with traditional degrees for enhanced learning - Education Times
In a world where change is the only constant, the education sector is evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly shifting job market. Traditional degree programmes have long been the gold standard for academic achievement, but today, micro-credentials are emerging as a vital component of lifelong learning. Micro-credentials, also known as digital badges or nano degrees, are concise, focused educational programmes designed to provide learners with specific skills or knowledge in a particular area. Unlike traditional degree programmes that require several years to complete, micro-credentials can be earned in a much shorter time frame, often within weeks or months. This quick turnaround allows individuals to rapidly acquire new competencies that are directly relevant to their careers.
Friday, August 23, 2024
Internships in Generative AI: Best Ones to Explore in August 2024 - Analytics Insight
With AI, Generative AI has emerged as a major transformation in the tech world in recent years. While driving innovation across various sectors including content creation, software development, healthcare, and finance, generative AI has given hope to organizations to adapt its updated mechanisms without any second thought. As companies continue to explore their potential, the demand for skilled professionals is increasing day by day. For students who want to pursue a career in this field, and for beginners who are yet to get hands on experience, internships in Gen AI offer opportunities to gain practical experience. Through these internships, they can strengthen their understanding, and possibly secure a job in this dynamic field. This article discusses some of the top AI Generative internships that will be available in August 2024, outlining their benefits, how to apply, and what makes them unique.
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Penn State Great Valley Now Offering Stackable Credentials through Online Learning - Helen Harris, Vista
Penn State is offering for the first time stackable credentials that can be used to earn master’s degrees in Engineering, Data Analytics, Information Science, Artificial Intelligence, Human Resources, and Psychology. The stackable credentials at Penn State are being offered through 27 graduate-level certificates that can be completed online, through Penn State World Campus. To earn a stackable credential, a student will take courses in sequence to complete a graduate-level certificate of either nine or 12 credits. Some certificates can be completed in a year or less.
https://vista.today/2024/08/penn-state-stackable-credentials-online/
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Bridging the skills gaps: The micro-credentials solution - Pravin Periasamy, Aliran
Educational reforms must bridge the skills gap by upskilling Malaysian talent quickly to keep pace with industrial development. While improving education quality through curriculum changes is important, it is a long-term solution. The government should focus on current university students. These future graduates will feel the full impact of the skills gap without support to upskill. One policy option is to subsidise micro credentials for local students during their studies, especially for in-demand digital skills.
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
WT to Offer Embedded Associate Degrees for Students Pursuing Bachelor’s - Chip Chandler, West Texas A & M
West Texas A&M University students soon can earn an associate degree en route to completing their bachelor’s degree, thanks to a new plan approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents that will help combat student indebtedness. Pending final agreement from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, TAMUS Regents on Feb. 9 approved a plan that establishes eight new degree programs: associate of arts degrees in liberal arts and humanities and multidisciplinary studies, and associate of science degrees in business, education, health sciences, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences. The new degree program shows that WT continues to pioneer new ways to assist students in keeping their indebtedness as low as possible. Tarleton State University, also in The Texas A&M University System, is the only other four-year state institution providing associate degrees, though WT’s plan focuses more on giving students a recognized milestone or stop-out point.
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