Micro-credentials provide teachers with recognition for the skills they develop throughout their careers and can lead to career and compensation advancement. They are also a different, yet effective, way to learn and demonstrate competency. Here are some tools and tips to assist educators in navigating a micro-credential for the first time.
READ THE ENTIRE MICRO-CREDENTIAL:
Requirements are sometimes interconnected and inform each other, so it is very important to read through the entire micro-credential, including all requirements and rubrics, before getting started. If you are working on a micro-endorsement or a set of micro-credentials, review all of the micro-credentials in the set before you begin collecting evidence.
As you review, consider making a list of the artifacts you are required to collect. This process will help you identify places where there might be overlap between the types of artifacts required for submission and will also help you backwards plan.
DECONSTRUCT REQUIREMENTS & RUBRICS:
Requirements describe the types of artifacts you will need to submit as part of your portfolio of evidence. The quality indicators and proficiency levels in the rubric, however, detail what your evidence needs to show in order to score “Demonstrated”. Review your rubrics before, during, and after the development of your artifacts to ensure alignment.
Remember, assessors will be using the rubrics to evaluate your evidence. Before submitting do a quick self-assessment to ensure you are on the right track!
CONSIDER AVAILABLE RESOURCES:
The micro-credential you are working on likely has some aligned resources available in the Background and Learn tabs. Use these resources as a way to help you check for understanding, extend your knowledge, and successfully meet the rubric criteria. You may also apply learning from independent research, coursework, training, or other types of professional development.
COLLABORATE:
Your colleagues are also learning the micro-credentialing process. Collaborate with your peers to share ideas, ask questions, provide feedback, and set goals. Please note that while collaboration is encouraged you must always submit your own unique evidence demonstrating your competency. Be sure to review BloomBoard’s policy and best practices around collaboration.
If available in your program, use BloomBoard’s Collaborate feature to interact with your peers in Discussions specific to your program. Utilize your facilitators to ask questions and receive guidance. Chances are it is a question others have as well.
BACKWARDS PLAN:
Micro-credentials are self-paced and self-directed; backwards plan to determine when you will collect evidence as outlined in the micro-credential requirements. Read the entire micro-credential before you start working and create a plan. Set goals with a colleague and mark them on your calendar. Plan the evidence you will need to collect and when. For example, if a video is part of the required evidence, it is good practice to record yourself multiple times and select the video that aligns best to the “Demonstrated” proficiency level of the rubric.
HAVE A GROWTH MINDSET:
Micro-credentials are a change from a traditional learning experience. You are learning by doing and, through successful completion, demonstrating your competencies as a professional. A micro-credential is not a pass-fail test, but a reflective learning experience where you may not earn the micro-credential on the first try.
Do not let perfection or fear keep you from submitting--there is no limit on the number of times you can resubmit! If you don’t earn on your first try, be reflective and open to assessor feedback and resubmit.