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Micro-credentials, Higher Education and Career Development: Perspectives of University Students

Year 2021, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 126 - 139, 31.12.2021

Abstract

Emergence of micro-credentials, digital qualifications less than a degree, is rooted in an increased demand for quality and digitalized higher education, and a growing demand for skilled human capital tailored for the industry. There is now a wider acceptance of micro-credentials by the industry as proof of necessary skills set developed by employees, either as a supplement or an alternative pathway to traditional college diplomas. However, within the context of higher education, an enlarging ecosystem of micro-credentials is also raising concerns over the potential of micro-credentials in career development. This phenomenological study projects an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon of micro-credentials within the context of higher education by involving experiences and interpretations of key participants- university students. Participants involved 11 junior and senior students enrolled in an advanced communication skills course focused on preparing students for their careers. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, and they were analyzed using content analysis technique and MAXQDA software. Superordinate themes were extracted from the data; facilitating factors that motivate participants to take up micro-credentials in their way to career development was identified as the first one with two sub-themes: micro-credential-induced and higher education-induced enabling factors. Patterns in the data led to another superordinate theme of barriers to the adoption of micro-credentials that demotivated participants to build a career path on their micro-credentials, micro-credential-induced and work environment-induced factors being the sub-themes. Participants seem to perceive micro-credentials more as a supplement to traditional university degrees rather than an alternative pathway to career development. Adaptive career behavior is the final superordinate theme, highlighting the adoption of micro-credentials as an adaptive career behavior in the context of career-self management model under two sub-themes: cognitive-person factors, and contextual and personality traits. The findings have been discussed in the light of the existing literature on micro-credentials, higher education and the career self-management model, and some implications have been provided.

References

  • Carey, K. L., & Stefaniak, J. E. (2018). An exploration of the utility of digital badging in higher education settings. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66(5), 1211-1229.
  • Chakroun, B., & Keevy, J. (2018). Digital Credentialing: Implications for the Recognition of Learning Across Borders. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000264428
  • Cheng, Z., Richardson, J. C., & Newby, T. J. (2020). Using digital badges as goal-setting facilitators: A multiple case study. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 1-23.
  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018) Research methods in education. Taylor and Francis
  • Dyjur, P., & Lindstrom, G. (2017). Perceptions and uses of digital badges for professional learning development in higher education. TechTrends, 61(4), 386-392.
  • European Commission (2020) A European Approach to Micro-Credentials. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/default/files/document-library-docs/european-approach-micro-credentials-higher-education-consultation-group-output-final-report.pdf
  • Fong, J., Janzow, P., & Peck, K. (2016). Demographic Shifts in Educational Demand and the Rise of Alternative Credentials Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://upcea.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Demographic-Shifts-in-Educational-Demand-and-the-Rise-of-Alternative-Credentials.pdf
  • Fraenkel, J., Wallen, N., & Hyun, H. H. (2012). How to design and evaluate research in education (8th ed.). McGraw Hill.
  • Gallagher, S. R. (2018). Educational Credentials Come of Age: A Survey on the Use and Value of Educational Credentials in Hiring. (August 11, 2021) https://www.northeastern.edu/cfhets/wpcontent/uploads/2018/12/Educational_Credentials_Come_of_Age_2018. pdf.
  • Gauthier, T. (2020). The value of microcredentials: The employer's perspective. The Journal of Competency‐Based Education, 5(2), doi: 10.1002/cbe2.1209
  • Ghasia, M., Machumu, H., & de Smet, E. (2019). Micro-credentials in higher education institutions: An exploratory study of its place in Tanzania. The International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 15, 219-230.
  • Goglio, V. (2019). The landscape of MOOCs and higher education in Europe and the USA. In the Proceeding of EMOOC2019-European MOOCs Stakeholders Summit, (pp. 41-46).
  • Google (2020) Google Career Certificates. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://grow.google/certificates/
  • Healy, M. (2021). Microcredential learners need quality careers and employability support. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 12(1), 21-23.
  • Hollands, F., & Kazi, A. (2019). Benefits and Costs of MOOC-Based Alternative Credentials: 2018-2019 Results from End-of-Program Surveys. Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.
  • Horton, A. P. (2020) Could micro-credentials compete with traditional degrees? Accessed (August 11, 2021) https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200212-could-micro-credentials-compete-with-traditional-degrees
  • Kurt, T., & Fidan, T. (2021). Kariyer oluşumunda üniversite: Beklentiler ve gerçekler [University for Career Construction: Expectations and Realities]. Yükseköğretim Dergisi, 11(2 Pt 2), 421–437. doi:10.2399/yod.20.591001
  • Lent, R. W., & Brown, S. D. (2013). Social cognitive model of career self-management: Toward a unifying view of adaptive career behavior across the life span. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(4), 557.
  • Lent, R. W., Ezeofor, I., Morrison, M. A., Penn, L. T., & Ireland, G. W. (2016). Applying the social cognitive model of career self-management to career exploration and decision-making. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 93, 47-57.
  • Milligan, S., & Kennedy, G. (2017). To what degree? Alternative micro-credentialing in a digital age. In R. James, S. French, & P. Kelly (Eds.), Visions for Australian tertiary education (pp. 41-53). Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://melbourne-cshe.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2263137/MCSHEVisions-for-Aust-Ter-Ed-web2.pdf
  • OECD (2019). Trends Shaping Education 2019. OECD Publishing, Paris. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://doi.org/10.1787/trends_edu-2019-en
  • Oliver, B. (2019). Making micro‐credentials work for learners, employers and providers. Accessed: (August 11, 2021)https://www.assuringgraduatecapabilities.com/uploads/4/5/0/5/45053363/making‐micro‐credentials‐work‐oliver‐deakin‐2019.pdf
  • Resei, C., Friedl, C., Staubitz, T., & Rohloff, T. (2019). Micro-credentials in EU and Global. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://www.corship.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Corship-R1.1c_micro-credentials.pdf
  • Stefaniak, J., & Carey, K. (2019). Instilling purpose and value in the implementation of digital badges in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 1-21.
  • Tomlinson, M. & Anderson, V. (2021) Employers and graduates: The mediating role of signals and capitals, Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 43(4), 384-399, doi: 10.1080/1360080X.2020.1833126
  • Wendling, E., & Sagas, M. (2020). An application of the social cognitive career theory model of career self-management to college athletes’ career planning for life after sport. Frontiers in Psychology, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00009
  • Wheelahan, L., & Moodie, G. (2021). Analysing micro-credentials in higher education: A Bernsteinian analysis. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 53(2), 212-228.
  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research in social sciences. Seçkin Publications.
  • Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods. Sage.
Year 2021, Volume: 2 Issue: 2, 126 - 139, 31.12.2021

Abstract

References

  • Carey, K. L., & Stefaniak, J. E. (2018). An exploration of the utility of digital badging in higher education settings. Educational Technology Research and Development, 66(5), 1211-1229.
  • Chakroun, B., & Keevy, J. (2018). Digital Credentialing: Implications for the Recognition of Learning Across Borders. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000264428
  • Cheng, Z., Richardson, J. C., & Newby, T. J. (2020). Using digital badges as goal-setting facilitators: A multiple case study. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 1-23.
  • Cohen, L., Manion, L., & Morrison, K. (2018) Research methods in education. Taylor and Francis
  • Dyjur, P., & Lindstrom, G. (2017). Perceptions and uses of digital badges for professional learning development in higher education. TechTrends, 61(4), 386-392.
  • European Commission (2020) A European Approach to Micro-Credentials. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://ec.europa.eu/education/sites/default/files/document-library-docs/european-approach-micro-credentials-higher-education-consultation-group-output-final-report.pdf
  • Fong, J., Janzow, P., & Peck, K. (2016). Demographic Shifts in Educational Demand and the Rise of Alternative Credentials Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://upcea.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Demographic-Shifts-in-Educational-Demand-and-the-Rise-of-Alternative-Credentials.pdf
  • Fraenkel, J., Wallen, N., & Hyun, H. H. (2012). How to design and evaluate research in education (8th ed.). McGraw Hill.
  • Gallagher, S. R. (2018). Educational Credentials Come of Age: A Survey on the Use and Value of Educational Credentials in Hiring. (August 11, 2021) https://www.northeastern.edu/cfhets/wpcontent/uploads/2018/12/Educational_Credentials_Come_of_Age_2018. pdf.
  • Gauthier, T. (2020). The value of microcredentials: The employer's perspective. The Journal of Competency‐Based Education, 5(2), doi: 10.1002/cbe2.1209
  • Ghasia, M., Machumu, H., & de Smet, E. (2019). Micro-credentials in higher education institutions: An exploratory study of its place in Tanzania. The International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 15, 219-230.
  • Goglio, V. (2019). The landscape of MOOCs and higher education in Europe and the USA. In the Proceeding of EMOOC2019-European MOOCs Stakeholders Summit, (pp. 41-46).
  • Google (2020) Google Career Certificates. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://grow.google/certificates/
  • Healy, M. (2021). Microcredential learners need quality careers and employability support. Journal of Teaching and Learning for Graduate Employability, 12(1), 21-23.
  • Hollands, F., & Kazi, A. (2019). Benefits and Costs of MOOC-Based Alternative Credentials: 2018-2019 Results from End-of-Program Surveys. Center for Benefit-Cost Studies of Education, Teachers College, Columbia University.
  • Horton, A. P. (2020) Could micro-credentials compete with traditional degrees? Accessed (August 11, 2021) https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200212-could-micro-credentials-compete-with-traditional-degrees
  • Kurt, T., & Fidan, T. (2021). Kariyer oluşumunda üniversite: Beklentiler ve gerçekler [University for Career Construction: Expectations and Realities]. Yükseköğretim Dergisi, 11(2 Pt 2), 421–437. doi:10.2399/yod.20.591001
  • Lent, R. W., & Brown, S. D. (2013). Social cognitive model of career self-management: Toward a unifying view of adaptive career behavior across the life span. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(4), 557.
  • Lent, R. W., Ezeofor, I., Morrison, M. A., Penn, L. T., & Ireland, G. W. (2016). Applying the social cognitive model of career self-management to career exploration and decision-making. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 93, 47-57.
  • Milligan, S., & Kennedy, G. (2017). To what degree? Alternative micro-credentialing in a digital age. In R. James, S. French, & P. Kelly (Eds.), Visions for Australian tertiary education (pp. 41-53). Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://melbourne-cshe.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2263137/MCSHEVisions-for-Aust-Ter-Ed-web2.pdf
  • OECD (2019). Trends Shaping Education 2019. OECD Publishing, Paris. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://doi.org/10.1787/trends_edu-2019-en
  • Oliver, B. (2019). Making micro‐credentials work for learners, employers and providers. Accessed: (August 11, 2021)https://www.assuringgraduatecapabilities.com/uploads/4/5/0/5/45053363/making‐micro‐credentials‐work‐oliver‐deakin‐2019.pdf
  • Resei, C., Friedl, C., Staubitz, T., & Rohloff, T. (2019). Micro-credentials in EU and Global. Accessed: (August 11, 2021) https://www.corship.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Corship-R1.1c_micro-credentials.pdf
  • Stefaniak, J., & Carey, K. (2019). Instilling purpose and value in the implementation of digital badges in higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16(1), 1-21.
  • Tomlinson, M. & Anderson, V. (2021) Employers and graduates: The mediating role of signals and capitals, Journal of Higher Education Policy and Management, 43(4), 384-399, doi: 10.1080/1360080X.2020.1833126
  • Wendling, E., & Sagas, M. (2020). An application of the social cognitive career theory model of career self-management to college athletes’ career planning for life after sport. Frontiers in Psychology, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00009
  • Wheelahan, L., & Moodie, G. (2021). Analysing micro-credentials in higher education: A Bernsteinian analysis. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 53(2), 212-228.
  • Yıldırım, A., & Şimşek, H. (2016). Qualitative research in social sciences. Seçkin Publications.
  • Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: Design and methods. Sage.
There are 29 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Other Fields of Education
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Mehmet Ali Yılık 0000-0002-2586-1670

Publication Date December 31, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021 Volume: 2 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Yılık, M. A. (2021). Micro-credentials, Higher Education and Career Development: Perspectives of University Students. Higher Education Governance and Policy, 2(2), 126-139.