Grants for Earning Micro-Certifications in K-12 Education

Grants for Earning Micro-Certifications in K-12 Education

Microcredentials Offer New Opportunities for K-12 Students and Educators

In the rapidly evolving world of education, a new trend is gaining momentum: microcredentials. These digital certificates, which recognize an individual for having a specific competency or skill, are being embraced by higher education institutions and, increasingly, employers.

Digital Promise, a non-profit organisation focused on improving education, recently released a report titled "The Promise of Micro-credentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools." The report highlights the potential benefits of microcredentials for K-12 students and educators.

According to Rita Fennelly-Atkinson, Senior Director of Credentials at Digital Promise, microcredentials can help students demonstrate competencies beyond traditional seat time and GPA. They offer learning aligned with individual goals and interests, self-paced progress, and flexibility to learn anytime and anywhere. This makes them an attractive option for students who may not thrive in a traditional classroom setting.

For educators, microcredentials provide a flexible, cost-effective professional development (PD) option. They are often asynchronous and skill-focused, allowing teachers to select relevant topics and complete learning at their own pace. This flexibility supports job-embedded learning tailored to teachers’ real needs and priorities, promoting ongoing competency growth and lifelong learning.

To promote microcredentials to students, educators can introduce them as opportunities for students to showcase skills that go beyond standard grading measures. Incorporating micro-credential-aligned, small-scale projects or microlearning activities can spark student interest and provide practical, meaningful contexts for earning microcredentials. Clear communication about expectations and resources, engaging students in goal setting, reflection, and feedback can also motivate students to take ownership of microcredential learning, fostering commitment and deeper engagement.

For teacher PD, educators or school leaders can curate a manageable list of relevant microcredentials aligned with school priorities to guide students and teachers, avoiding overwhelm from too many choices and ensuring relevance.

Fennelly-Atkinson emphasizes the importance of giving learners the opportunity to make choices about their learning path in microcredentials. This ability to choose their own learning path is one of the most exciting aspects of microcredentials, as it allows students to tailor their learning to their unique interests and goals.

The report was accompanied by a framework for implementing strategies covered in the report. A video was also released, summarizing ways in which K-12 students can successfully leverage microcredentials. As the popularity of microcredentials continues to grow, it's clear that they have the potential to revolutionize the way we approach education and professional development.

[1] Strayer, D., & Fennelly-Atkinson, R. (2021). Micro-credentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools: A Framework for Implementation. Digital Promise. [2] Fennelly-Atkinson, R., & Strayer, D. (2021). Micro-credentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools: A Guide for Educators. Digital Promise. [3] Fennelly-Atkinson, R., & Strayer, D. (2021). Micro-credentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools: A Guide for Employers. Digital Promise. [4] Fennelly-Atkinson, R., & Strayer, D. (2021). Micro-credentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools: A Guide for Families. Digital Promise. [5] Fennelly-Atkinson, R., & Strayer, D. (2021). Micro-credentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools: A Guide for School Leaders. Digital Promise.

1. Microcredentials, recognized as digital certificates for specific competencies, offer K-12 students the chance to demonstrate skills beyond traditional measures like seat time and GPA, providing learning opportunities that align with individual goals and interests, promoting self-paced progress, and fostering personal growth.
2. For educators, microcredentials provide a flexible, cost-effective professional development (PD) option, allowing teachers to select relevant topics and complete learning at their own pace, thereby supporting ongoing competency growth and lifelong learning.
3. To introduce microcredentials to students, educators can incorporate micro-credential aligned small-scale projects or microlearning activities, and motivate students through clear communication about expectations, engaging them in goal setting, reflection, and feedback.
4. Teacher PD can be facilitated by curating a list of relevant microcredentials aligned with school priorities, ensuring both relevance and manageability, and encouraging lifelong learning that goes beyond traditional classroom settings.

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