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Spreading LERs: Strategies, Successes, and Challenges in Spreading through a Higher Education System
Plaza Ballroom D | Alternative Credentials | Foundational | Tag: Learner Access, Policy
The University of Texas Higher Education System launched an initiative to introduce and expand learning and employment records (LERs). Beginning with its Coursera offerings across all campuses, the UTHES sought to create and populate learner wallets (LERs) with achievements (badges and credentials) earned. The partnership with Territorium as LER provider through their LifeJourney solution allowed for the academic institutions of the UTHES to independently explore beyond Coursera achievements and issue achievements from programs of their own. This session explores the mechanisms and effectiveness of contagion, indicating key points of leverage alongside faulty assumptions and ultimately lessons learned.
- Kelvin Bentley, University of Texas Higher Education System
- Keith Look, Territorium
- Beth Brunk, University of Texas at El Paso
- Moderator: Scott Chadwick, Coursera
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It Doesn’t Take a Village, It Takes an Ecosystem
Governor's Square 16 | Alternative Credentials | Strategic | Tag: Learner Access, Policy
What happens next? What if we think about what happens after the learner earns a credential? Creating and issuing a credential is important work that also has a low ceiling on potential impact if created in a silo. Where this starts to change the conversation is when we intentionally develop in concert with thinking about what happens next. Collaborating and coordinating with an ecosystem that includes consumers such as employers and issuers who are the audiences for the credentials. What if our finish line isn’t where we think it is? Perhaps we build in additional builders and employers at the front end of the design process and co-create something even more meaningful for L/Earners?
- Noah Geisel, University of Colorado Boulder
- Javier Motta-Mena, Arizona State University
- Moderator: Pat Leonard, Pearson
Roundtable Presentations #2 (Plaza Ballroom BCEF)
In this session, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with up to two different topics during small-group, 30-minute, table-based guided discussion around a specific and timely topic, question, or issue. Roundtables are designed to provide space and time to important but particularly nuanced topics which deserve attention, and presenters will promote the sharing of thoughts, solutions, and questions among their respective table’s attendees.
Moderator: Laurel Hogue, University of Central Missouri
Establishing an AI Self-paced Online Course for University of North Georgia Faculty Professional Development
Alternative Credentials | Foundational | Tag: Faculty
Our presentation will offer our efforts in addressing this need for our UNG faculty members as a professional development opportunity by creating a self-paced, online course about the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, (A.I). We will discuss design and development of this online course with hopes that our efforts can other institutions in creating their own A.I. online courses for professional development initiatives. After our successful implementation of this online course, our aim is to continue developing a series of self-paced, online courses [non-credentials] that attributes to a A.I. learning certification through our professional development program for UNG faculty and staff members.
- Ervin Howard, University of North Georgia
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Budding Badges: Lessons From a Digital Credential Technology Platform Assessment
Governor's Square 11 | Alternative Credentials | Foundational | Tag: Policy
In early 2024, Georgia Tech undertook a comprehensive audit of digital credentials usage, vendors, and features, aiming to recommend an enterprise-scale platform. A small volunteer group presented their findings to campus leadership in July 2024. The presentation outlines a blueprint for digital credential vendor technology assessment, offering a step-up process for institutions, transparency about the audit workflow, and best practices for vendors and institutions. It emphasizes the importance of Open Badges v3 compatibility and transparent roadmaps. Attendee interaction is encouraged for shared learning and feedback.
- Eric Sembrat, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Lachelle Smith, Georgia Institute of Technology
How are Flexible Learning Pathways Revolutionizing Workforce Development?
Governor's Square 14 | Alternative Credentials | Foundational | Tag: Learner Access, Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
Join us for an exciting exploration of two transformative initiatives designed to break barriers and empower learners. Discover how competency-based programs like UT-PLAYS and Microcredential programs at UpskillOK are reshaping how educators and professionals enhance their skills, gain credentials, and meet the demands of today’s workforce.
- David Cihak, University of Tennessee
- Leah Davis, iDesign
- Brad Griffith, OSRHE
- Moderator: Shiraz Sultan, AAPC
Stop & Share Presentations #2 (Plaza Ballroom BCEF)
Attendees are invited to stop in, mill about, and engage in these dynamic, demonstration-type conversations hosted by presenters ready to share ideas on a hot topic, best practice, or technological innovation.
Moderator: Amber O'Casey, Alamo Colleges District
Hot off the Press: Employers Guarantee Interviews through the Power of And at FGCU!
Alternative Credentials | Applied | Tag: Policy, Faculty, Graduate Education
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) continues to respond to regional workforce needs through employer partnerships leading to guaranteed interviews for students and community learners. The microcredential model, "The Power of And at FGCU," lives outside of traditional curriculum and programs and equips students with the skills, competencies, and abilities sought by employer partners. Following the learning experiences, students apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios defined with, and by, employers. The outcome? A guaranteed interview for digital badge earners. Learn more about the three distinct categories of microcredentials, the intended audience, and the inclusion of employers every step of the way.
- Kristen Vanselow, Florida Gulf Coast University
- Andrea Fortin, Florida Gulf Coast University
- Joshua Fortin, Florida Gulf Coast University
Harvard’s Flexible Online Non-Degree Program: Meeting Learner Needs, Providing Paths Degrees
Alternative Credentials | Strategic | Tag: Graduate Education
Join this session to first learn about Harvard Kennedy School’s Public Leadership Credential (why we went this route, what problem were we trying to solve, what the learning experience is like, which potential paths appeal to which learner types, what does it take to market and support delivery, data on learners and alumni, and so on). Then engage in a discussion whether this sort of model would be a fit at your school and why (or why not).
- Kristin Sullivan, Harvard University
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Advancing Digital Credentials in Higher Education: Standards Based Approaches for Trust and Value
Plaza Ballroom D | Alternative Credentials | Applied | Tag: Learner Access, Policy, Graduate Education
With the combined expertise of the Digital Credentials Consortium (DCC) and 1EdTech’s TrustEd Microcredentials Coalition, this workshop will share standards-based approaches to issuing digital credentials that are trustworthy, portable, and meaningful. Evidenced by deployments and case studies conducted at higher education institutions that leverage the DCC’s open source software for issuing W3C Verifiable Credentials (VCs) and the TrustEd Credential Framework for embedding valuable, rich data in microcredentials, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to create and implement digital credentials tools and frameworks that unlock opportunities for learners.
- Kerri Lemoie, MIT
- Eric Sembrant, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Rob Coyle, 1EdTech
- Doris Savron, University of Phoenix
- Collin Sullivan, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
- Moderator: Gillian Walsh, MIT
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