By Laura Smith
States, districts, and individual educators across the country are exploring micro-credentials as a means of demonstrating professional learning and growth. What are micro-credentials? A micro-credential shows competency or completion of a certain skill/task/content. Micro-credentials are usually recognized with a badge, award, or certificate. The format of micro-credentials varies widely from organization to organization, and they are increasingly available in different professional settings, including in education.
Demonstrating skill and competency via micro-credentials can be an enriching and satisfying experience for teachers. Often, micro-credentials include resources for learning and development, and then a chance to apply the skills or knowledge that was learned. For educators, this often means focusing on a specific area of their practice for reflection, learning, and development. Focusing this way allows teachers to authentically cultivate an area of their practice, often while tending to the usual demands of their job.
VHS Learning has developed several micro-credentials to support teachers with developing their online practice. Each VHS Learning micro-credential begins with a focused set of resources to provide guidance and suggestions for developing an area of online teaching. Teachers completing a micro-credential then reflect on their current practice in that area, plan strategies they want to try in that area of their practice, apply those strategies, and reflect on the impact. Upon successful completion of a micro-credential, VHS Learning teachers earn a certificate awarding 15 hours of professional development, authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and a badge to display on their profile in the course platform. VHS Learning teachers who are interested in micro-credentials can reach out to their VHS Learning point person for more information.