Next phase of higher learning
Small-scale credentials:
- These are quick learning exercises that offer evidence of particular learning objectives verified by means of a conventional evaluation procedure.
- They are available in physical, online, or hybrid formats at several skill levels, including introductory, intermediate, and advanced.
- Micro-credentials are intended for professionals in the workforce who are lifelong learners and may not be able to enrol in a traditional university degree programme.
- Terminologies like online certificates, micro-master degrees, nano-degrees, and digital badges are being used for this brief learning, and they are continually evolving.
- Many companies, including Atingi, Alison.com, Credly, Coursera, edX, FutureLearn, Google, Linkedin, Microsoft, PwC, and Udacity, offer micro-credentials. Micro-credentials are also being offered by numerous colleges in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
- Micro-credentials are becoming a cutting-edge method of filling the knowledge gap for “just-in-time” acquisition of contemporary skills and abilities.
- They are becoming the new standard in higher education because of their benefits, accessibility, and flexibility.
- The hiring process is evolving, favouring talents over degrees more often, and micro-credentials are becoming more widely accepted.
- Courses in macro-credential programmes are typically structured into three- to four-credit blocks, with one credit equal to one hour of lecture and two hours of lab work per week.
- “Credit” in traditional school programmes is linked to the amount of time students spend in a lab or classroom.
The principal advantages of micro-credentials:
- On a digital platform like the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC), they are stackable and transferable.
- The NCrF, or National Credit Framework.
- It outlines the learning objectives and credits that a student must achieve in order to advance to the next learning level.
The Way Ahead:
- Clear quality benchmarking and regulation of these micro-credentials are necessary to avoid major differences in learning outcomes and to make it easier for employers and higher education institutions to accept them.
- Micro-credentials are a sign of a true skill set that must be in line with criteria for higher education in the areas of grading, delivery, assessment, and qualification awarding.
- In order to build trust in micro-credentials, trustworthy evaluation techniques must be developed; in this endeavour, HEI association is crucial.
- Micro-credentials can provide Indian university students with possibilities to incorporate a variety of abilities within their regular coursework.
- In addition to their macro-credentials, they can obtain a second certificate or diploma by storing the credits on the ABC platform for eventual redemption.
- Micro-credentials can be awarded as one to five credit short modules, depending on the length of time and learning objectives.
- Students can complete a variety of short modules to accrue the total credits needed to graduate, as stated by the NCrF.
- Since NCrF is being implemented nationwide, now is the ideal moment for Indian HEIs to start planning the creation of micro-credentials in collaboration with business.
- HEIs have the chance to investigate the creation of credit-based micro-credentials as an integral component of standard degree courses thanks to the NCrF.
- The possible effects of micro-credentials and the extra value they can bring to the postsecondary education system need to be discussed more widely.
- Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) must to act as change agents and think about making micro-credentials an essential part of their institutional strategy goals.
- In order to harmonise micro-credentials with current academic courses, regulators and HEIs must develop precise validation measures.
