The idea of microcredentialing through nanodegrees and
badges is becoming more accepted,
but limited mostly to educational technology firms. A group of traditional
colleges and universities are working on a way to get into the game.
The Georgia Institute of Technology, Northwestern
University, the University of Washington, the University of California Davis,
Irvine, and Los Angeles, and the University of Wisconsin Extension have joined
forces on a project called the University Learning Store. Still in its initial
stages, the concept is designed to create an alternative credentialing process
through modular content, skills assessments, and services for students—such as
tutors, coaches, and counselors—similar to programs being offered by Coursera
and Udacity, according to a report in Inside Higher Education.
The group wants to be able to offer students different
products from a variety of providers through the University Learning Store. Online
content will include courses where instructors interact with students through
the material, just like current online courses but for a shorter period of
time. There will also be direct assessment through tests, papers, and projects,
along with courses that award microdegrees for proficiency in job-related soft
skills.
The University Learning Store would also be based on
the “freemium” model where some content is free but students would also have to
pay for some services. Assessment, tutoring, and other support services would
be fee based.
