Defining micro-credentials: Opportunities and challenges in shaping the educational landscape

On 14 September 2021, UNESCO organized a webinar on 'Moving towards a common language on micro-credentials'. The webinar was an opportunity to start a conversation on how we can achieve a common language on micro-credentials and to share the preliminary findings of UNESCO's study on a common definition. More than 300 participants took part in the two-hour discussion and interacted with leading experts from a wide range of organizations and academia.

Micro-credentials are increasingly promoted as a more flexible way of recognizing knowledge, skills and competences. They give learners and employees the possibility to collect and combine smaller units of learning according to their specific needs and, as such, are often seen as facilitating lifelong and life-wide learning. At the same time, no single definition exists of what micro-credentials are or of their essential characteristics. This lack of a shared understanding can create confusion to users and has negative implications with regards to the transparency, quality, portability and cross-border recognition of micro-credentials.

In his opening remarks, Mr Borhene Chakroun, Director of the Division for Policies and Lifelong Learning Systems at UNESCO, stressed the importance of considering taking a human-centered approach to micro-credentials focusing on equity, inclusion and quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all. 'UNESCO aims to approach micro-credentials in a way that can help bridge the exacerbating gap in learning opportunities and outcomes in the world, including the digital divide', concluded Mr Chakroun.

Emeritus Professor Beverley Oliver gave an overview of the preliminary findings of the UNESCO study on a common definition of micro-credentials. The findings were based on an extensive consultation with nearly fifty global experts in the field of training, skills development and qualifications who examined in depth a number of different definitions of micro-credentials, before reaching consensus on a proposed common definition. This proposed definition is not intended to replace existing national or regional definitions. Rather it is an attempt to distil the elements that experts agree are essential characteristics of micro-credentials and to provide an international reference point, rather than a replacement, for existing definitions.

Professor Oliver's presentation was followed by a live discussion amongst a panel of experts representing organizations from Canada, Germany, South Africa, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The experts' insights and viewpoints drew on their own experiences with micro-credentials in their countries or institutions.

The UNESCO study and webinar are a first step in a broader discussion on the value and potential of micro-credentials to contribute towards quality learning opportunities for all. UNESCO will continue to work towards addressing the challenges and opportunities offered by micro-credentials, including on reaching consensus on how to define them in a way that is easily and commonly understood.

• Watch the webinar on YouTube

Photo: Spotmatik Ltd/Shutterstock.com