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TrustEd Microcredential Coalition

Powering Microcredential Value and Trust & Supporting Learner Mobility

For microcredentials to succeed in education and work, we need clarity on the rigor behind the credentials and empower learners to have agency over their credentials. 1EdTech formed the TrustEd Microcredential Coalition to address these and other common concerns about the varying levels of quality and trust in microcredentials.

1EdTech TrustEd Microcredential Coalition Aims to Maximize the Value of Digital Credentials

TrustEd Microcredential Coalition Members

AACRAO

Anthology

Bowdoin College

California State University System

Cengage

Digital Promise

Google

Greenville County Schools

HelioCampus

Idaho Division of Career Technical Education

Instructure

Italian Quality Company S.r.l.

Navigatr

Oracle

Parchment

Proof of Knowledge (POK)

SmartResume

Southern New Hampshire University

Territorium

Udemy

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Phoenix

VitalSource

Walmart

Western Governors University

Wichita State University

As one of its first deliverables, the TrustEd Microcrodential Coalition has released a microcredential metadata framework (see it below) for issuing organizations to use.

TrustEd Microcredential Framework

The framework builds on the Open Badges data standard by defining a set of minimum and recommended data requirements for two new credential types.

Types of Microcredentials

TrustEd Microcredential Knowledge

Issued to a learner for developing a specific set of foundational knowledge demonstrated by a validated assessment that measures the defined learning outcomes.

TrustEd Microcredential Application

Issued to a learner based on demonstrating the ability to apply a specific set of knowledge and assessed by a validated assessment aligned to the defined outcomes.

Other Microcredentials or Recognition Badges

Issued to a learner who completes a task or participates in an event.

Metadata Minimum Expectations

Proposed Final Version

This table identifies the metadata expectations to issue a TrustEd Microcredential.

An issuing organization can still include additional details and metadata above the requirements while maintaining TrustEd Microcredential status.

The metadata field name and its purpose are shown below. Use the + to reveal the knowledge and application expectations for each metadata field.


Levels of Metadata Expectations

 

  • Required: These data fields—in the format specified—are required.

  • Recommended: Inclusion of data in these fields is not required, though including this data provides value to the learners. Issuing platforms will make these optional fields available to users so they have the option to include data.

  • Recommended, if available: This data provides significant benefit to the learners and should be included if possible. Badge platforms will make these fields available to users. Examples of when it might not be available are in the evidence field, where the data may not be included, such as to protect IP, or in the rubric field, where the assessment method did not include a rubric.
Knowledge
  • Required: Identified using text
Application
  • Required: Linked to external skills definitions
Knowledge
  • Required: Identified using text
Application
  • Required: Identified and linked to external frameworks. Recommend linking to frameworks published using interoperable standards, such as CASE, CTDL, or Rich Skills Descriptors (RSDs).
Knowledge
Application
Knowledge
  • Required: Recommended from an accredited or industry-recognized organization, and that data is included
Application
  • Required: Recommended from an accredited or industry-recognized organization, and that data is included
Knowledge
  • Recommended, if available
Application
  • Recommended, if available
Knowledge
  • Recommended, if available
Application
  • Recommended, if available
Knowledge
  • Required
Application
  • Required
Knowledge
  • Required
Application
  • Required
Knowledge
Application
Knowledge
  • Recommended, if available
Application
  • Recommended, if available
Knowledge
  • Required: Must use specific type that most closely matches assertion. Cannot use N/A or Not Applicable.
Application
  • Required: Must use specific type that most closely matches assertion. Cannot use N/A or Not Applicable.

Recommend organizations pursue 3rd party endorsement of TrustEd Microcredentials

Knowledge
  • Recommended, if available
Application
  • Recommended, if available

*These items are required in all issued Open Badges. The TrustEd Microcredential Coalition Framework adds additional data recommendations and requirements in these fields.

 

Revised: May 29, 2024

Commitment from Edtech Leaders Endorsing TrustEd Microcredentials

Join the effort to increase the value of digital credentials through transparency. See the education and technology leaders committed to the work of the TrustEd Microcredential Coalition and register your support.

TrustEd Microcredential Commitment

1EdTech Contributing Members can Contact Us about participating in the TrustEd Microcredential Coalition.

 


 

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