CIVIS Micro-credentials & micro-programmes (R. Iucu & A. Cartis, 2022)
- 1. MICRO-CREDENTIALS & MICRO-PROGRAMMES: What are the main envisaged opportunities and challenges posed by adopting micro-credentials in the higher education sector? 30 March 2022 Prof. Romiță IUCU, Ph.D. Alexandru CARȚIȘ, Ph.D.(c)
- 2. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș CONTENTS 1. A CIVIS vision on micro-credentials 2. What for the future of micro-credentials? 3. From vision to practice: CIVIS micro-programmes
- 3. A CIVIS vision on micro-credentials. From a European policy framework to an applied approach on flexible learning pathways
- 4. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș Flexible and open learning paths (...) are important aspects of student-centred learning and are in increasing demand in our societies. In addition to full degree programmes, many higher education institutions offer or plan to offer smaller units of learning, which enable learners to develop or update their transversal skills and competences at various stages in their lives.
- 5. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș One of the key cooperation principles of alliances indicates that students can design their own flexible curricula, leading to a European Degree. ESU here sees a lack of common understanding to what a European Degree is. It’s all about the students
- 6. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș A micro-credential is the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning. These learning outcomes have been assessed against transparent and clearly defined standards. A European approach
- 7. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș Modular design Trans- disciplinarity ECTS credit points Flexible pathways Multiple formats Mobility variety Innovative pedagogies Recognition & Certification Inter- institutional cooperation Structural, systemic, sustainable impact An academic vision
- 8. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș Modular design Trans- disciplinarity ECTS credit points Flexible pathways Multiple formats Mobility variety Innovative pedagogies Recognition & Certification Inter- institutional cooperation Structural, systemic, sustainable impact An academic vision Modular design (how do we assure stackability and interconnection?) Transdisciplinarity (soft skills vs. hard skills: what do employers want?) ECTS credit points (how many are too many and what is a minimum?) Flexible pathways (who is leading the flexibility and what are the limits?) Multiple formats (how many and who has a say in the limits?) Mobility variety (is online learning a virtual mobility or not?) Innovative pedagogies (can we talk about innovation guidelines in education?) Recognition & Certification (do trust and accountability pass national barriers?) Inter-institutional cooperation (how do we define a successful cooperation?) Structural, systemic, sustainable impact (can we design a model for assessing the impact?)
- 9. What for the future of micro-credentials? Six scenarios for a potential future higher education landscape (Camilleri,2018)
- 10. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș Global micro-credentials marketplace • Higher education institutions cease to be the main providers of educational services • A broad category of private-sector providers and newly established structures resulting from a process of consortium-forming (emergence of ‘mega-universities’) dominate the market • Certain platforms will act as ‘aggregators’ on this market, providing their own training content
- 11. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș European Universities • European University Alliances provide specialised academic / professional content, offering ‘joint flexible credentials • Learning and training experiences are recognised by higher education institutions and employers on the European market • European University Alliances become preferred learning paths for the acquisition of certain European and international qualifications
- 12. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș Lifelong micro-learning • The boundary between higher education and continuing vocational training become increasingly blurred in terms of credentials • Lifelong learners juggle between the two systems and turn into citizens ‘engaged in perpetual learning’ • Higher education institutions pay increasing attention to employee life cycles, implementing multiannual learning contracts with employers and students
- 13. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș University gatekeepers • Universities are perceived as ‘guarantors of quality’ and are authorised to award academic qualifications • Institutional prestige becomes the guarantee for the quality of credentials • Universities become hubs for the array of training programmes put together by actors in the world of work, non-governmental organisations, or international organisations.
- 14. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș Ivory towers • Universities fail to acknowledge the role and growing significance of micro-credentials, ignoring technological and professional developments and the externalisation of education. • Although universities continue to be the primary choice for certain areas, they are avoided when it comes to obtaining highly placed positions or professional roles, as career paths become fragmented and highly individualised.
- 15. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș Outsourcing higher education • Micro-credentials are tools of marginal significance to European students, who opt for traditional educational pathways at the expense of micro-credentials. • Educational institutions can put together an attractive offer of micro-study programmes and micro-credentials for developing countries. • European universities become leading higher education providers in developing countries.
- 16. From vision to practice CIVIS transdisciplinary micro-programmes
- 17. Promoting innovation in higher education
- 19. An educational matrix for the future
- 20. R O M I Ț Ă I U C U & A L E X A N D R U C A R Ț I Ș CIVIS transdisciplinary micro-programmes • Three CIVIS universities involved in the design and implementation of the micro-programmes • Two transdisciplinary micro-programmes: • Civic Engagement • Global Awareness • One CIVIS certification: CIVIS Passport • 15 ECTS credit points • Modular design • Recognition of non-formal education
- 21. CIVIS Micro-Programme Global Awarness • The micro-programme provides in-depth knowledge of globalization and cross-border processes, as well as opportunities to reflect on global interconnections and interrelationships in everyday life. • Structure: • Introductory Courses (3-5 ECTS) • Thematic Courses (3-5 ECTS) • Student Research Projects (4 ECTS) • Joint Projects with Partner Universities (5 ECTS)
- 22. CIVIS Micro-Programme Civic Engagement • In this innovative new micro-progamme, students apply academic theory into practice in a community context, exchange perspectives on current societal issues with fellow students across Europe and expand their personal network. • Structure: • Service-Learning course (3-6 ECTS) • Record of civic engagement (6 ECTS) • Academic feedback/ embedding (3 ECTS)
- 23. Thank you very much for your attention! Prof. Romiță IUCU, Ph.D. [email protected] Alexandru CARȚIȘ, Ph.D.(c) [email protected]