Macro progress for micro-credentials under the mesoscope

So, a bridge is being built across informal learning and micro-credentialing, and formal education frameworks. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) recently held a consultation on recognising micro-credentials, based on a consultation paper. NZQA also reports on three pilot studies that completed in June 2018. Recognising micro-credentials is not without its challenges, so work in this space is very timely.

This is a remarkably forward-thinking move, with admirable motivation:

These pilots are a stepping stone to NZQA developing a full micro-credential system, so that employers and learners can access the skills they need throughout their lifetime. This is becoming even more important as the nature of work continues to change.

The outcome is a new system for recognising micro-credentials, now in place. It's important to note that the new scheme does not seek to recognise all individual MOOCs or even collections of MOOC completions (perhaps these will come later), as most individual courses are likely to be less than the 5 credit minimum. There were three pilots that informed the new scheme:

1. The Udacity pilot:  The Udacity Self-Driving Car Engineer Nanodegree programme (one of the pilots) will cost a student £899 for the first of the two terms, and the anticipated workload is 15 hours per week over six months (around 380 hours). This course programme "was assessed by the NZQA for the purposes of the pilot as equivalent to a 60 credit package of learning at Level 9 (Masters Level) on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF)". This pilot is of a much more substantial product than a typical MOOC. 
2. EduBits are effectively recognition of prior learning (RPL) against existing NQF Unit Standards, which looks to be an extension of Otago Polytechic's Capable programme. This has long been possible however it's great to see this being, err, recognised in the context of micro-credentialing. EduBits (Unit Standard equivalent outcomes) can be combined into existing recognised NZQA qualifications. 
3. The Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) pilot considers an optional business simulation in secondary schools. It was found that "YES can be used to contribute credit inclusions for the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) at Level 3 (10 credit equivalents)".

A few reflections, with reference to the new system:

Overall, this is highly positive. NZQA is actively seeking to recognise micro-credentials and learning pathways outside of formal qualifications. It may not go far enough for advocates of formally recognising much smaller elements of learning for credit, but it is certainly an encouraging connection across informal/lifelong/micro-learning and formal qualifications. NZQA are not recognising qualifications at this stage, only credits - however the credits might be recognised within certain qualifications.

Following my initial excitement, it became steadily clearer that this is both a logical and conservative move. Micro-credentials are being asked to fit within an existing system, rather than challenge and renew the existing system. The new scheme is very consistent with what NZQA already does in recognising legitimate learning activities and outcomes with formal credit. One real difference here is that the stand-alone credentials can be formally recognised retrospectively, rather than approved in advance.

In my view, this goes far enough for now. Yet to be had are debates around whether independent, module-centred learning outcomes in discrete areas could ever be equivalent to an intentional programme of study deliberately designed to build qualification-level outcomes. Unbundling formal education may provide flexibility, but it might also unintentionally remove the bundling that ultimately adds the value.

In some ways, the new scheme enables NZQA to play real-time catch up with credentials required by the marketplace, but not yet included in its own Unit Standards Framework. This is clever and forward-thinking. The flexibility here demonstrates an NZQA committed to the ongoing relevance of its activity in fast-moving sectors.

The new system has clear provisions. The characteristics micro-credentials are required to have are logical enough, though they are typical of what NZQA would expect from any recognised provider seeking to develop a qualification. The five-credit limitation is interesting; this will likely disqualify many of the 2-3 hour per week over four week MOOCs and most of the LinkedIn Learning short-courses I've been enjoying lately. The limit is also slightly more than some of the EduBits currently on offer. Finally, the Administration elements - while logical enough - will add further compliance to the system.

One awkward part. In the consultation, "submitters observed that equivalence could imply approval and that NZQA should make it clear to learners and employers that establishing the equivalence of a micro-credential to levels and credits on the NZQF does not mean approval of the micro-credential." Navigating this will be tricky, and this is no doubt the reason for the annual review... and it is here that the next phase of this entire exercise will likely start from.

This is an encouraging first step, but it's well within current quality considerations and presents no real challenge to current compliance. Kudos to NZQA for a clean, clear process and a sober start down the trail of recognising micro-credentials.