Microcredentials are a hot topic in higher education. These short learning experiences are typically focused on single, measurable skills that ladder to related training or credentials, are cost-effective and can be offered face-to-face or online, explains Dr. Heather McRae.
“The format of microcredentials aligns with the government’s interest in re-skilling and up-skilling for economic growth,” says Dr. McRae, dean of the School of Continuing Education. “Post-secondary institutions have the knowledge and infrastructure to support the development of microcredentials to ensure they have the rigor and quality needed.”
In an article published earlier this month by The EvoLLLution, Dr. McRae answered questions about the potential of microcredentials, obstacles they present and best practices and strategies for implementing them.
While challenges certainly exist, including the lack of a common framework across institutions and the need for microcredentials to include assessment of competence, Dr. McRae expressed her excitement about the future of this approach.
“Continuing Education providers from post-secondary institutions are working together, sharing ideas and helping each other determine how to approach microcredentials in a way that makes sense for the learner,” she said. “We want microcredentials to have value in learners’ careers, in their personal lives, so that they can be the kind of individuals they want to be.”
Microcredentials at MacEwan
MacEwan’s School of Continuing Education is currently developing four new microcredentials of its own, says McRae, including: Data Analysis for Financial Growth (in partnership with the Canadian Western Bank), Intelligent Supply Chain (in partnership with Routeique Inc. and the Edmonton International Airport), Sustainable Business Revival and Digital Marketing for Small Business (both in partnership with Edmonton Chamber of Commerce members, including Futurepreneur, Resume Free, Workforce Delivery and SureHire).
The university’s approach focuses on partnership with industry and uses a project-based assessment model, so learners can not only demonstrate competency, but add value to the organizations they currently work with.
Learners who are currently employed, explains McRae, can work with their current employer to make work-integrated learning part of their microcredential experience, bringing extra value to their learning and also adding value for their employer. Learners who are not currently employed will use empirical case studies to facilitate practical experiences.
The School of Continuing Education will launch pilots of the microcredentials in January 2022 and expects all four programs to be available by May 2022. Information about current and upcoming microcredential courses will be available on the School of Continuing Education’s website.