Micro Credentialing and Higher Education: A Case for Human Service Students

• In Event: 2322 - Activities and Techniques Poster Session

Abstract

Micro credentialing has developed a novel means of recognizing and certifying skills or competencies acquired in various learning settings (formal or informal, online or traditional classroom). Micro Credentialing offers new ways of motivating learners and scaffolding the learning process, while also promoting values such as openness, learners' agency, participatory learning practices and peer-learning communities. The State University of New York is investigating the use Micro-credentialing as a method to increase enrollment and retention of students. As part of this endeavor the human services program at Nassau Community College, a SUNY institution surveyed on micro-credentialing in general and our micro credential in “case management” in particular. Our study reached out to students and potential employers in the Nassau County--New York area, where most students would work as interns or apply for jobs. While Micro credentials are gaining traction among educators, there have been only a few research studies aimed at understanding of micro-credentials and its potential role in higher education. This study attempted to address this information gap by examining benefits, concerns, and challenges related to micro credentials from the perspectives of students, potential employers, and teachers.

Author

• Vondora Wilson-Corzen, State University of New York-Stony Brook