Micro-credentialing (digital badges) for recognizing teacher competencies¶

Element · All elements
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

Micro-credentialing, or badging, is described as "a competency recognition system aligned with a series of gates or milestones recognized by a community." Issuers create credentials that can reward participation, completion, or—most valuably—demonstration of specific skills. The paper positions micro-credentials as marking initial preparation and recognizing ongoing development and leadership, noting their unique value is that they are specific, personal, efficient, flexible, transparent and portable.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Credentials awarded based on performance, which the paper says will be of greater value than those awarded strictly on participation
• A community that recognizes the gates or milestones the badges mark

Constraints¶

• The paper focuses only on credentials awarded for demonstrations of competence rather than participation or content consumption

Target Learners¶

• Pre-service teachers
• Practicing teachers seeking ongoing development and leadership recognition

Target Learning Goals¶

• Recognition of demonstrated teaching skills and competencies
• Ongoing professional growth across aspects of the education profession

Claims¶

Related Elements¶

• Digital Open Badges
• The educator micro-credentialing ecosystem: Digital Promise's PK-12 platform, 400+ micro-credentials, and the NEA partnership
• Micro-credentials as competency-verified recognition of educator professional learning

Examples¶

• Micro Credentials And Badging

Key Sources¶

• Karen Cator, Carri Schneider, Tom Vander Ark. (2014). Preparing Teachers for Deeper Learning: Competency-Based Teacher Preparation and Development. Digital Promise / Getting Smart. https://digitalpromise.dspacedirect.org/items/a1928fce-2d47-429b-8e81-fbeb9ce079c3