Abstract
The Scottish higher education system has been evolving to adapt to new technologies, massification and internationalisation (Guri-Rosenblit et al, 2007). The conversation around micro-credentials has also been growing within Scotland, allowing there to be a variety of more flexible pathways and access to knowledge and skills development in many sectors (Oliver B, 2019). However, now more than ever, with the impact of COVID-19 and its restrictions across the industries, it is certain that micro-credentials and digital badges are gaining interest within these sectors (Ahmed & Jassim, 2021) and that they could be the solution to the increased demand for reskilling and upskilling (Oliver, 2019).
This report aims to explore different perspectives on micro-credentials and digital badges from four different stakeholder groups in Scotland: university staff, employers, current students, and alumni and other customers of micro-credentials. While keeping in mind that higher education needs to "meet the changing environment" (QAA, Enhancement Themes, n,d), the objective of this study is to demonstrate current understanding of micro-credentials and digital badges in Scotland, and their potential within different sectors.
In response to the changing environment, a cluster of Scottish universities have been working together to understand the needs of the population to ensure we are able to provide a range of micro-credentials which are valued by individuals, institutions and employers alike. To help inform this work, a scoping review was conducted and stakeholders were invited to attend an online event and/or to participate in an online questionnaire.
This report contains the findings from our stakeholder surveys and events. All four of these stakeholder groups have an interest in the potential and mutual benefit that micro-credentials and digital badges can bring through up-skilling, boosting employability and creating transparency between the industries. However, there is a lack of common language and understanding of what micro-credentials are. The challenges that were discovered when discussing the implementation of micro-credentials and digital badges in these environments point to a need for further work to provide a shared language and framework through which micro-credentials can be viewed.
This report aims to explore different perspectives on micro-credentials and digital badges from four different stakeholder groups in Scotland: university staff, employers, current students, and alumni and other customers of micro-credentials. While keeping in mind that higher education needs to "meet the changing environment" (QAA, Enhancement Themes, n,d), the objective of this study is to demonstrate current understanding of micro-credentials and digital badges in Scotland, and their potential within different sectors.
In response to the changing environment, a cluster of Scottish universities have been working together to understand the needs of the population to ensure we are able to provide a range of micro-credentials which are valued by individuals, institutions and employers alike. To help inform this work, a scoping review was conducted and stakeholders were invited to attend an online event and/or to participate in an online questionnaire.
This report contains the findings from our stakeholder surveys and events. All four of these stakeholder groups have an interest in the potential and mutual benefit that micro-credentials and digital badges can bring through up-skilling, boosting employability and creating transparency between the industries. However, there is a lack of common language and understanding of what micro-credentials are. The challenges that were discovered when discussing the implementation of micro-credentials and digital badges in these environments point to a need for further work to provide a shared language and framework through which micro-credentials can be viewed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2021 |
