Microcredentials Summit

1. Presenter: Dr. Alessandra Antonaci
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March

2. Modularization of
continuing education
and professionalization
by micro-credentials
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March

3. The MCE
partnership
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March

4. Investigate the Leaners'
perspective for a learner-
centred design of MCs
Supporting HEIs develop
strategies for the
developing of modular
education
Test MCs formats via
pilots that involve the
different actors
Develop evidence-based
dialogue and policies
MCE
objectives
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Casterlldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March

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Learners’
perspective
Institutional status
Results related to:
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March

6. The learners’ perspective
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The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Casterlldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March

7. The learners voice- literature
review findings
Literature review of the last 5 years (2018 - 2022).
PRISMA.
48 articles finally selected
Predominant focus on MOOCS offerings.
Drivers: just-in-time needs (41%), employability (41%),
curiosity (32%) and flexibility (32%).
Preferences (meaning satisfaction): Online,
asynchronous, short learning experiences.
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March

8. 37 adult learners, alumni of continuous education
programs at the UOC.
Most participants were middle-aged workers, with
bachelor’s or master's degrees
10 focus groups sessions carried out during
second semester of 2022.
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
The learners voice- UOC’s Focus group
findings

9. Main drivers: professional development (16%), career
advancement (14%) and employability (14%), but
primary driver is personal curiosity (18%). Then, social
and academic drivers.
Main preferences: Online (71%), asynchronous (64%),
from 1 to 3 months (56%), part time (95%), with
credentials (95%) and modular (97%).
The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
The learners voice- UOC’s Focus group
findings

10. Senior routed
profile Up-skilling
Drivers: Keep updated professionally,
career advancement. Has well-defined
career goals.
Preferences: Online, (very) short, self-
paced, practical and job market
oriented.
Certification: Help them promote or
gain greater recognition in their current
positions.
Other: Flexibility and quality updated
content are a priority. Not look for
Drivers: Personal curiosity, exploring new
topic/fields or looking to change their
discipline.
Preferences: Online, short, asynchronous
modularisation (1,2,3 levels).
Certification: Preferable, but is not
always essential. They sometimes want to
try.
Other: Connecting with renowned
professors and professionals.
Senior explorer
profile Re-skilling
Junior starter profile
Career starter
Drivers: Obtain a job (sometimes the first
one) in their desired occupation.
Preferences: Open to the idea of more
hybrid MCs. Demand tutorial or Q&A
sessions.
Certification: Are highly valued to improve
their CV and be attractive for the market
Other: Double intention. Complement to their
formal education. Door to higher degrees.
AntonioGuillem
damircudic
SDI
Productions

11. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
HEIs are required
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EC council recommendation
Members states need to inform EC of
measures to support objectives of
recommendation by December 2023

12. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
Institutional level
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• Low acceptance of micro-credentials within
country/society
• HEIs have strategies on LLL & CPD  a strategy on
micro-credentials
• All partners work together with regional/national
employers or other partners on the design and
issuance of micro-credentials
• Almost all micro-credentials offered are ECTS- and
EQF-based, most learner-centered (cf. EC
recommend.)

13. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
Institutional level
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• Only few micro-credentials are offered in English
• Most micro-credentials funded through student
fees
• Mostly internal evaluation (except part of
bachelor/master program), and plans for better
QA- quality assurance

14. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
FUTURE?

15. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
What is needed?
• EU HEIs should be encouraged to embed micro-
credentials into their lifelong learning strategies
aligning micro-credential programs with
employability and career development needs
Promote Lifelong Learning and Employability
• Would be ideal to have a dialogue among all the
actors involved  working closer with the labour
market

16. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
What is needed?
• The involvement of VET, no ECTS has made the
scenario more complex for HEIs
• Bologna tools, i.e. ECTS, diploma supplement.. Are the
common language used by HEIs to facilitate the
recognition of credentials– how can be done
otherwise?
• New (sexy, authority) provider are generating MCs,
which are costly– inequity will be generated

17. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
What is needed?
• Technology and probably AI could be expected to
play a role in the future of curriculum design and
designing of MCs as well
• The EU rec invite member state to come up with a
plan by 2023 and implement it by the next 5 years but
no many guidelines are provided
• HEIs can see this as an opportunity and ‘make history’;
‘play a role at national level’ but everything so far is
frozen– more guidance is needed coming from the
top- EC

18. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
Questions?

19. The International Micro-Credentials Summit 2023- Castelldefels, Barcelona- 20—24 March
Alessandra.Antonaci@eadtu.eu
mce.eadtu.eu
#MCE_microcredentials
@Salentina_in_NL