The Lumina Foundation has been pursuing the goal of recognizing and accepting for-credit microcredentials and learning experiences for several years, through their Connecting Credentials effort and the proposed framework they launched back in 2015 (http://connectingcredentials.org/).
This framework seeks to define an architecture wherein competencies can be defined in structured sets that can lead to microcredentials that could be recognized on a wide scale. In 2016, this effort was bolstered by the formalization of an Action Plan with seven focal points to move this effort forward.
In late 2017, a “State of Credentialing” report from the Foundation provided an update on this work.
Link to main story: Stackable, flexible and connected options for college students
Just prior to the publication of this report, Lumina Strategy Director Amber Garrison provided some insights into a few of the large projects currently underway that are helping to move higher education towards more readily recognized and shared digital learner records:
Credential Engine (http://www.credentialengine.org/) is a non-profit organization working to improve transparency in the credentialing marketplace with a scalable web-based Credential Registry.
Their platform can enable job seekers, students, workers, and employers to search for and compare credentials (much like travel apps are used to compare flights, rental cars, hotels, etc.)
The Comprehensive Student Records Project (http://www.aacrao.org/resources/record) is a combined effort from AACRAO, NASPA, & Lumina. This undertaking seeks to provide a diverse set of models for use by institutions who wish to implement a comprehensive student record that extends well beyond the traditional college transcript.
ACE and Credly have partnered to create a digital credential program to recognize workforce training (http://www.acenet.edu/news-room/Pages/ACE-Credly-Launch-New-Digital-Cred…).
Participants in ACE’s College Credit Recommendation Service can now issue digital credentials through the popular Credly digital badging platform. This collaboration makes it easier for working professionals to request academic credit for workplace training and to share evidence of their achievements online.
Kelly Walsh is CIO of The College of Westchester in New York.
