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

Read the Press Release

TrustEd Microcredential Coalition Members

Anthology

Bowdoin College

The California State University System

Cengage

Digital Promise

Greenville County Schools

Google

Instructure

University of Maryland Global Campus

Oracle

Parchment

Southern New Hampshire University

Territorium

Udemy

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

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

Examples: Successful exam completion at the end of a course or training class or passing a prior knowledge assessment

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.

Examples: Completion of a lab, project, or research presentation

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

Examples: Webinar attendance, organization membership, or committee service

Metadata Minimum Expectations

Proposed Final Version

This table identifies the minimum and recommended metadata requirements 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.

Knowledge

Identified using text

Application

Linked to external skills definitions

Knowledge

Identified using text

Application

Identified and linked to external frameworks using CASE or Rich Skills Descriptors (RSDs)

Knowledge

Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education

Application

Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education

Knowledge

Recommended from an accredited or industry-recognized organization, and that data is included

Application

Recommended from an accredited or industry-recognized organization, and that data is included

Knowledge

Optional

Application

Recommended

Knowledge

None

Application

Optional

Knowledge

Required

Application

Required

Knowledge

Required

Application

Required

Knowledge

Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education

Application

Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education

Knowledge

Optional

Application

Optional

Knowledge

Required, must use the specific type that most closely matches assertion (eg, Competency, Skills, Degree, microcredential, etc.)

Application

Required, must use the specific type that most closely matches assertion (e.g.: Competency, Skills, Degree, microcredential, etc.)

Knowledge

Optional

Application

Required

*Required in all Open Badges, but the TrustEd Microcredential requires it to include specific information.

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.