A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and government
Abstract Micro-credentials are gaining traction as viable vehicles for rapid upskilling of the workforce in the twenty-first century and potential pathways for gaining employment for some students. The primary purpose of the current systematic review was to understand the current conceptions and dis...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2023-02-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00381-x |
| _version_ | 1797784502489055232 |
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| author | Soovendran Varadarajan Joyce Hwee Ling Koh Ben Kei Daniel |
| author_facet | Soovendran Varadarajan Joyce Hwee Ling Koh Ben Kei Daniel |
| author_sort | Soovendran Varadarajan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Micro-credentials are gaining traction as viable vehicles for rapid upskilling of the workforce in the twenty-first century and potential pathways for gaining employment for some students. The primary purpose of the current systematic review was to understand the current conceptions and discourses of micro-credentials in higher education and to identify the opportunities and challenges in adopting micro-credentials in higher education. The review also aimed to develop a need-driven micro-credentials framework that demonstrates the value of micro-credentials to stakeholders, i.e., learners, higher education institutions, employers, and government agencies. Key findings revealed that there are various stakeholders’ needs and expectations. The learner wants short, practical, and up-to-date courses for their chosen career path, education institutions emphasise accreditation for building trust, employers want clarity regarding the competencies gained through micro-credentials, and government bodies expect higher graduate employability with lower tuition fees. Key findings revealed that implementing micro-credentials can be disruptive in the higher education sector and present several challenges. However, these challenges are likely to be mitigated by increased collaboration among stakeholders. The review has revealed several outstanding research questions critical for the success of micro-credentials as significant pathways to supplement traditional degree programmes. The research presented in the article has implications for policy development to guide the implementation of micro-credentials in the higher education sector. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:40:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9e1ed9d6e81844ca8c7aaa46d01d823c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2365-9440 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T00:40:49Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-9e1ed9d6e81844ca8c7aaa46d01d823c2023-07-09T11:21:04ZengSpringerOpenInternational Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education2365-94402023-02-0120112410.1186/s41239-023-00381-xA systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and governmentSoovendran Varadarajan0Joyce Hwee Ling Koh1Ben Kei Daniel2Higher Education Development Centre, University of OtagoHigher Education Development Centre, University of OtagoHigher Education Development Centre, University of OtagoAbstract Micro-credentials are gaining traction as viable vehicles for rapid upskilling of the workforce in the twenty-first century and potential pathways for gaining employment for some students. The primary purpose of the current systematic review was to understand the current conceptions and discourses of micro-credentials in higher education and to identify the opportunities and challenges in adopting micro-credentials in higher education. The review also aimed to develop a need-driven micro-credentials framework that demonstrates the value of micro-credentials to stakeholders, i.e., learners, higher education institutions, employers, and government agencies. Key findings revealed that there are various stakeholders’ needs and expectations. The learner wants short, practical, and up-to-date courses for their chosen career path, education institutions emphasise accreditation for building trust, employers want clarity regarding the competencies gained through micro-credentials, and government bodies expect higher graduate employability with lower tuition fees. Key findings revealed that implementing micro-credentials can be disruptive in the higher education sector and present several challenges. However, these challenges are likely to be mitigated by increased collaboration among stakeholders. The review has revealed several outstanding research questions critical for the success of micro-credentials as significant pathways to supplement traditional degree programmes. The research presented in the article has implications for policy development to guide the implementation of micro-credentials in the higher education sector.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00381-xHigher educationMicro-credentialsStudent’s learningEducation systemDigital badgesAlternative credentials |
| spellingShingle | Soovendran Varadarajan Joyce Hwee Ling Koh Ben Kei Daniel A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and government International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education Higher education Micro-credentials Student’s learning Education system Digital badges Alternative credentials |
| title | A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and government |
| title_full | A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and government |
| title_fullStr | A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and government |
| title_full_unstemmed | A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and government |
| title_short | A systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro-credentials for multiple stakeholders: learners, employers, higher education institutions and government |
| title_sort | systematic review of the opportunities and challenges of micro credentials for multiple stakeholders learners employers higher education institutions and government |
| topic | Higher education Micro-credentials Student’s learning Education system Digital badges Alternative credentials |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00381-x |
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