User:Psykoreactor/sandbox

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This is a sandbox aimed at collectively drafting a first take at the "Microcredential" entry. The initiative was started on Sept. 21th 2021 by the "Micro-credentials Sans Frontièr" network.

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For additional context,it might be useful to consult the discussion thread with Wikipedia experts here

Preamble
Micro-credentials have become prominent in the learning ecosystem with the emergence of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) around 2012; since that time there has been an emerging, competitive marketplace for lifelong learning with a range of new business models, programs structures, partnerships and pedagogies, this includes demand for alternative forms of education, personalised learning, micro learning and high-velocity training.

Microcredential currently redirects to Microdegree. Microcredentials are a broader class of thing than microdegrees, and "microcredential" is currently the more widely used term (352,000 hits on Google versus 54,200). Sources for references to microcredential include BBC (here), European Commission (here) and OECD (here)

The momentum of microcredentials is also testified by the existence of the Micro-credentisl Observatory maintained by the National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL) hosted by Dublin City University (DCU)

Definition
A universal definition of "micro-credentials" is currently being prompted by UNESCO through a draft report called "A conversation starter: Towards a common definition of micro-credentials".

The publication dated Sept. 14th 2021 was commissioned by UNESCO and drafted by Emeritus professor Beverly Oliver and was carried out under the overall supervision of Borhene Chakroun, Director, Division of Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems, UNESCO and in collaboration with Hervé Huot-Marchand, Chief of Section, Youth, Literacy and Skills Development, Fabio Manno and Katerina Ananiadou, Programme Specialists, UNESCO.''

This proposed definition is not officially endorsed by UNESCO: rather it is the outcome of a preliminary study among experts and may be used to inform UNESCO’s formal position in due course.

Proposed Definition
A micro-credential:

Explanatory Text
Credentials verify, validate, confirm, or corroborate a person’s learning achievements, knowledge and preparedness for performing tasks. Credentials are diverse with regard to their scope, status and purpose.

A large subset of credentials can be referred to as macro-credentials: generally, these include degrees, diplomas, certificates and licences, often awarded by accredited, recognised or regulated educational and other institutions or organisations. They indicate learning achievement of a broad body of knowledge, transferable skills or technical proficiency and may take a number of years to complete. While some are pursued for personal or general educational advancement, others are associated with qualifying to practice a particular profession or to follow a particular career path.

Another large subset of credentials can be referred to as micro-credentials: these are typically focused on a specific set of learning outcomes in a narrow field of learning and achieved over a shorter period of time. Micro-credentials are offered by commercial entities, private providers and professional bodies, traditional education and training providers, community organisations and other types of organisations. While many micro-credentials represent the outcomes of more traditional learning experiences, others verify demonstration of achievements acquired elsewhere, such as in the workplace, through volunteering, or through personal interest learning. Micro-credentials are often promoted as an efficient way to upskill workers across the lifespan.